The human remains found by hikers in Smyth County on Sunday are believed to be those of a missing Missouri man whose car was discovered along Interstate 81 last summer, according to county Sheriff David Bradley.
A human skull was discovered by hikers in Hungry Mother State Park near Marion, Va., and it appeared to have “damage resulting from a gunshot wound,” the sheriff said on Tuesday.
Deputies investigated the site all day on Monday and discovered the remainder of a human skeleton, a handgun and a passport near what appeared to be a “makeshift shelter” in a remote area of the park, Bradley said.
The passport belonged to Johnnie L. Dunivan, 62, who was reported missing in 2007 from Missouri, where he faced child sexual assault charges, Bradley said.
Bradley said he could not say whether the cause of death was suicide or if foul play was involved.
The remains have been sent to the medical examiner’s office in Roanoke, Va., for an autopsy. Bradley said he hopes a positive identification can be made in the next couple of days.
Police thought Dunivan was in the vicinity of the park last summer after he was reported missing in July from Poplar Bluff, Mo., and his car was found along I-81, Bradley said.
ahunter@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2531
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