Human remains found this week in a protected wildlife area of Hot Spring County have been sent to the state Crime Laboratory for identification, according to the sheriff's office.
Sheriff's office spokesman Sgt. Woody Perry said the remains were found Monday evening in the Jack Mountain Wildlife Management Area and were believed to have been in the area for months.
The Jack Mountain Wildlife Management Area encompasses 18,274 acres in Hot Spring County near Bismarck, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's website.
It was unclear Wednesday morning where in the protected area the remains were located.
Based on a preliminary investigation, the cause of death is considered "unnatural," Perry said. He declined to comment on whether foul play could have been involved.
Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said his agency is assisting the sheriff's office in the investigation.
State Desk on 02/11/2016