Bones found at Burdekin River sent to Brisbane for formal ID

A skeleton found at a remote area of the Burdekin River has been sent to Brisbane as police reveal more about the circumstances.

Location of Skeletal remains found on the Burdekin River

A skeleton found at a remote area of the Burdekin River has been sent to Brisbane in a bid to identify the remains as police reveal more about the circumstances.

Skeletal remains were found in a tent on the banks of the Burdekin River by fishermen on Saturday afternoon.

Ayr Police Criminal Investigations Branch officer in charge Detective Sergeant Gavin Neal said there was evidence in the vicinity of where the skeletal remains had been located of a previous cannabis plantation.

However initial investigations suggest there were no crops growing and no evidence the deceased had been involved in the production of cannabis.

Human remains found on the banks of the Burdekin River on the weekend by a hunter.

Sgt Neal said the skeletal remains had been sent to Brisbane under the direction of a coroner, for examination.

“To put a time frame on a positive identification would be impossible as there are too many variables,” he said.

Sgt Neal said at this point in the investigation there is nothing to suggest the circumstances surrounding the death are suspicious.

“There is nothing to lead to a suspicious death however we are guided by the findings of the (post mortem).”

The son of a missing Ayr police officer whose car was located 100km from where the remains were found has said police had been in contact with him.

Originally published as Bones found at Burdekin River sent to Brisbane for formal ID