Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Investigation into the death of Crystal Gayle Homister, 22, of Elkhart, continues jointly after authorities from both Elkhart and Kosciusko counties met Monday to share information.
Another bone, possibly part of the skeletal remains identified as Homister's, was located Monday.
No new information has been released as to the findings made as a result of Monday's dual-county meeting, and Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said the two counties will continue to work together at this time. Results from ongoing testing of the human remains found Thursday will determine whether authorities from one agency or another will assume sole jurisdiction.
A cause of death has yet to be determined, and test results could taken as long as two weeks, Rovenstine said. Investigators also are working to establish whether Homister died elsewhere and was dumped in the woods or died where her remains were located.
Rovenstine said today that Homister's body was burned after it was left in the location in which it was found. The skeletal remains were 85 percent to 90 percent intact, with parts of the arms and legs missing.
The missing bones were likely dragged off by animals, Rovenstine said. In fact, a resident living on Natti Crow Road notified authorities Monday evening that she possibly had a piece of the skeleton in her trash. What is believed to be a human leg bone was retrieved by police. The woman told authorities that she threw the bone away after her dog brought it home. Information as to how long the bone was at the Natti Crow Road residence was not available.
The human remains were found in a wooded area off CR 1050N on the east side of Lake Wawasee. Natti Crow Road is not far from that location, authorities said.
The skeletal remains, as well as the additional bone, will be taken by Kosciusko County Coroner Larry Ladd to the University of Indianapolis today. Further tests will be undertaken and forensic anthropologists will continue examination of the bones.
