Police Find Human Bones in House

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Category: Local News

Created on Saturday, 15 December 2012 00:17

Published on Saturday, 15 December 2012 00:17

    Sitka officers carrying out a search warrant on a possible probation violation Tuesday found human bones in a drawer inside a house, police said today.
    Police Lt. Barry Allen said the bones were old, and apparently were from a small child who died many years ago. They were photographed for analysis by the state medical examiner in Anchorage.
    Police were called to the 4800 block of Halibut Point Road Tuesday to help the probation officer investigate a possible probation violation by William R. Hammock, 37. The search of Hammock’s vehicle at that location turned up evidence of cocaine and methamphetamine possession, prompting police to request a search warrant of his home at 1619 Sawmill Creek Road, No. 8.
    “During the search for illegal drugs we turned up human remains,” Allen said. The bones were being stored in a box in a drawer, he said.
    Hammock was arrested Tuesday on a petition to revoke probation. At his hearing Wednesday, he was held on $150,000 bail.
    Allen said finding bones outdoors is not uncommon because there are many Native burial sites in the area. After police receive the analysis by the medical examiner, the investigation may involve calling in an anthropologist and also the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Allen said.
    “There are a fair amount of Native grave sites throughout the island, and they get discovered every once in a while,” he said.
    Allen said the appropriate action to take when finding them is to call police, who will investigate and contact the proper agencies.