Human remains found in woods outside Alexandria believed to be missing New Jersey man
Badly decomposed human remains have been found in woods off Messina Road, and investigators believe they belong to a missing New Jersey man whose car was found nearby, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office.
The office's Special Operations Group, along with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Forest Service, began searching Tuesday for Robert Owens Jr., 58, of Millville, New Jersey, which is about 45 miles south of Philadelphia.
A news release says Owens is a geocacher, someone who uses global positioning or other navigational techniques to find items hidden by other enthusiasts.
The search began again around 6 a.m. Wednesday with more resources, and the remains were found about three hours later in a densely wooded area near a creek about a half-mile from the beginning of the Azalea Trail in the Kisatchie National Forest.
An autopsy will have to be performed for a positive identification, but "from clothing description and other physical characteristics, sheriff’s detectives believe this is Mr. Owens," reads an updated news release.
The remains were recovered by the Rapides Parish Coroner's Office. An autopsy is pending.
Owens' car was found off Messina Road by deputies, with the help of another geocacher, reads the initial release. The search was being conducted in that area of that road, which stretches between La. Highway 28 West and Twin Bridges Road.
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Most of the road winds through the Kisatchie National Forest, and that portion is not paved. The car was found two miles past the paved portion of the road, according to Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline.
" A computer check of the vehicle indicated Owens was reported missing on July 17th, 2023," reads the release.
Owens was reported missing to the Millville Police Department, said Carnline.
Owens' daughter has posted multiple videos to her TikTok account about her father, saying his car apparently had been on Messina Road for eight or nine days. She also said his phone had died, and he hadn't been in touch with anyone since July 9.
Owens was on vacation and should have returned home earlier this week.
"We miss you, dad," reads one video. "Wherever you are, we hope you're safe."
Investigators still would like to speak with anyone who may have information about Owens. People are asked to call the sheriff's office at 318-473-6700 or Detective Tamiko Paulk at 319-473-6727.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Search finds remains thought to be New Jersey man, Robert Owens Jr.
