Police close case on the identity of human remains located at two Port beaches
Forensic testing has confirmed the identity of human remains which were found washed-up at two Port beaches in September.
Mid-North Coast
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- ‘Unidentifiable’ human remains found at two Port beaches
- Police: Mental health not a factor in missing man’s disappearance
Police have confirmed human remains washed-up at two Port Macquarie beaches are that of missing local man, Mark James.
Police received the final results of forensic testing late last week, confirming the identity of the 56-year-old.
A NSW Police Spokesperson said they “believe there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man’s death.”
“The remains have been identified as that of a 56-year-old man reported missing from Port Macquarie in September,” the spokesperson said.
The news comes more than three weeks after human remains were washed up at Miners Beach and Little Bay on September 28.
Police established a crime scene following reports that bones had been located by early morning walkers.
An initial analysis found the gender to be unidentifiable, so police resorted to expert forensic testing to determine their DNA.
Inspector Mick Aldridge said at the time that police would be examining the profile of 56-year-old Mark James, who went missing from Lighthouse Beach on September 18.
His disappearance led to an extensive air, land and sea search to try and locate him.
Police spent days searching for Mr James after his family found his red RAV4 at Tacking Point lighthouse.
The search had been assisted by Polair, Surf Lifesaving NSW, Marine Rescue and the State Emergency Service.