SALEM, Mo. – An investigation is underway after the shocking discovery of human skeletal remains in rural Crawford County, Missouri.

The remains were found near Mound Ridge Road at Meramec Springs Park in Cook Station. The area is about a two-hour drive southwest of St. Louis.

A hunter came across a few suspicious items of clothing Tuesday evening on private property. Major Deputy Adam Carnal, Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, said investigators obtained a search warrant and found skeletal remains with the clothing Wednesday morning.

The remains have not been identified. Investigators are still searching for clues and evidence to help identify the individual, how long the remains have been there, and how the person died.

“We have a few missing people in this county or who have gone missing. So, hopefully, with what we discovered, we can give some closure to the family,” Carnal said. “If it’s a missing person from the area or from another area.”

Authorities said there are four people missing in the area. It’s still unclear if the clothing or remains belonged to a man or woman.

The search area is in a very remote location. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Department has asked for help with the search from the Steelville Fire Department and the Rolla Rural Fire Department.

“It’s a large area that we are searching. The scope and scale of the terrain making it difficult, that’s why we halted the search last night,” Carnal said.