Human remains found in Fayette County after tip on missing person
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Human remains were found in Fayette County on Tuesday.
In a news release posted to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Pennsylvania State Police said the remains were found by law enforcement after receiving a tip tied to a missing persons case.
The remains were found off Hogsett Lane in North Union Township near an abandoned home. Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said the remains were buried in a place where nobody would've known to look.
"We went to the location where our tip led us, and it was apparent that we had skeletal remains," he said.
"They were located near the rear or property near the creek," he added.
Sources told KDKA-TV's Jennifer Borrasso that a tip from an inmate at the Fayette County Jail about a teenage girl missing since Thanksgiving led law enforcement to the scene.
"These remains were in an area where a person wouldn't find them unless they were looking for them," Aubele said.
The Uniontown Police Department said it has one active missing persons case, and it is for 17-year-old Kaitlin Whoolery. Her aunt said the teenager was in a detention center that was court-ordered by Children and Youth Services. She was allowed to go home for Thanksgiving, but Whoolery's aunt said the teen walked away from her family's home later that night.
Her father now fears the worst.
"Since I found this, I've been speechless," Troy Bradey said. "My mind is blown over it. I can't really think. I wanted her to come home."
Investigators are combing through the area for evidence. Dogs were brought in to assist, and a forensic anthropologist was called.
"We will do DNA testing, other forensic testing, to get a positive identification on this individual," Aubele said.
Police said the forensic anthropologist should be able to determine fairly quickly the victim's gender, age and how long the person has been dead, but police added that it could take longer before the remains can be positively identified.