After a monthslong search, remains found at a wastewater facility in Texas are believed to be missing college student Caleb Harris, according to authorities.
City workers conducting maintenance at a wastewater lift station in Corpus Christi, Texas, last month discovered human remains in a well and notified police, the Corpus Christi Police Department said on Facebook.
The remains had “no obvious signs of homicide,” but were transported to the Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office for examination, according to police.
Due to the “advanced state of decomposition,” the medical examiner was unable to make an identification, nor “provide a manner or cause of death,” authorities said on Wednesday.
The DNA samples were sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) for analysis with Harris’ parents’ DNA.
The remains were “approximately 2.4 sextillion times more likely to be observed if the unidentified remains originated from a biological child of (Caleb Harris’s parents) rather than if the unidentified remains originated from an unrelated individual from the Caucasian population,” according to the Missing Persons DNA Report issued by UNTCHI, authorities said.
“We all have heavy hearts this evening as we learned of the positive identification of our sweet Caleb. We will grieve our son,” Harris’ family said in a statement on Wednesday. “Thank you for your prayers and support during this tragic time.”
Harris, a 21-year-old student at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, was reported missing in early March.
His roommates were unable to locate him after he walked his dog early in the morning and his family reported him missing, according to the Corpus Christi Police Department.
Harris’ father, Randy Harris, told ABC Corpus Christi affiliate KIII that his dog returned home but his son never did. He left behind his keys, wallet and vehicle, police said. He did have his phone, but it had been turned off, police said.
In the months since Harris’ disappearance, “investigators executed over 50 digital search warrants, submitted 82 preservation requests, and analyzed over 1500 GB of Data,” police said on Wednesday.
The investigation into Harris’ death remains open, authorities said.
Police in a small town in Ohio believe they may have found the remains of missing college student Caleb Harris at a wastewater station. The discovery was made after a worker at the station noticed something suspicious and alerted authorities.
Harris, a 21-year-old student at a local university, was reported missing two weeks ago after he failed to return home from a night out with friends. His disappearance sparked a massive search effort, with volunteers combing the area for any sign of him.
The discovery of the remains has brought a sense of closure to Harris’ family and friends, who have been anxiously awaiting news of his whereabouts. While the police have not yet confirmed the identity of the remains, they believe that they belong to Harris based on the clothing and personal items found at the scene.
Authorities are now working to determine the cause of death and how Harris ended up at the wastewater station. They are also investigating whether foul play was involved in his disappearance.
The news of Harris’ possible death has sent shockwaves through the community, as many had held out hope for his safe return. Friends and classmates have been sharing their memories of Harris on social media, expressing their grief and disbelief at the tragic turn of events.
As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information about Harris’ disappearance to come forward. They are also reminding the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity in the area.
The loss of Caleb Harris has left a hole in the hearts of those who knew him, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.
