On Thursday, September 24, 2026, at approximately 9:13 a.m., the Newton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a wooded area off FM 82 (Forestry Road) near the Newton County line after possible human remains were discovered. The remains were located near the Wildlife Cat Refuge.
According to Sheriff Colton Havard, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene and made a preliminary determination that the remains appeared to be those of an adult human.
It’s the same area that was investigated during the search for Joshua Larkin (below). He has been missing since November 2022.
The Texas Rangers and crime scene investigators are assisting with the investigation, along with the Newton Police Department, Newton County District Attorney’s Office, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, and Jasper County District Attorney’s Office. Cadaver dogs from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) are also assisting with the search and investigation.
The remains will be submitted to the University of North Texas for DNA analysis and identification. This remains an active investigation.
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