Human remains found; may be missing student

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - Human skeletal remains were found by children playing in the woods, but police said it was too soon to determine whether they were those of a Bloomsburg University student who disappeared 10 months ago.

Garrett Jay, of York County, was last seen on May 11.

Bloomsburg Police Lt. Joseph Wondoloski said that Jay's was the only missing-persons case in the area, but that investigators could not immediately determine whether the remains were his because they were so badly decomposed.

An autopsy will focus on DNA and dental records. An identity won't be determined until today or tomorrow at the earliest, authorities said.

"I wouldn't want to be a parent on the receiving end getting my hopes up," Police Chief Leo Sokoloski said. "I don't want to give anybody false hope."

Sokoloski said investigators found no evidence suggesting a crime scene. Police and Columbia County coroner Lori Masteller would not elaborate on the body's condition.

Children playing in a gully found the remains around 1 p.m. Saturday, police said. Investigators discovered items nearby that apparently belonged to the dead person but said they were not enough to positively identify the remains.

The last person to hear from Jay was a friend who spoke with him around 2 a.m. on May 12. Police said Jay, who told the friend he was at his car near his Bloomsburg apartment, has not been heard from since.

Investigators said his apartment showed no signs he planned to leave, and his parents found his wallet, checkbook and driver's license. His car was found near the apartment with no signs it had been ransacked, according to authorities.