Eugene Cerney was reported missing by his family on June 10, 2000
Credit: Phelps County Sheriff’s Department/Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- Eugene Cerney was reported missing in June 2000, according to the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department
- At the time, officials said he told his “family members he planned to ride his bicycle to St. Robert”
- Over 25 years later, his remains were finally found and identified
Skeletal remains discovered earlier this month have been identified as a Missouri man who was reported missing over 25 years ago.
Eugene Cerney disappeared from his home in Phelps Country and was reported missing by his family on June 10, 2000, according to a statement from the Phelps County Sheriff's Department.
"At the time of his disappearance, Mr. Cerney told family members he planned to ride his bicycle to St. Robert, Missouri, and was not seen or heard from again," officials said.
Although the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol "conducted an extensive investigation" at the time, officials were unable to find any leads and the case went cold.
However, everything changed on March 3, when skeletal remains were found in a wooded area near Rolla, reported CBS affiliate KMOV and Fox affiliate KTVI.
A bike was also found at the scene, according to the sheriff's office.
In addition to launching their own "extensive investigation," investigators transported the remains to forensic odontologist Dr. Eric Wilson, who was able to make the positive identification.
A "world-renowned" forensic odontologist, Wilson had previously provided identification services following 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and the Joplin tornado, according to the department.
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In their statement, officials went on to say that his next of kin has been notified and that a "routine investigation" is ongoing, but that they did not have any additional details about what happened to share.
When reached for comment, the Phelps County Coroner confirmed that there are no further details available at this time.
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