MILAN, Illinois - The remains found on Big Island have been identified as those of a Milan man who was reported missing in June 2014.
James DePaepe was 50 years old when he was last seen by family members at about 7 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2014. Police said other people reported seeing DePaepe, who had no known address, on or about July 3.
A human skull and other bones were found by a man searching for turtle shells on Big Island in Milan on Thursday, April 14, 2016. Investigators had determined the remains were those of a white man, but without clothing they didn't initially know much else.
The cause of DePaepe's death was not yet released, and foul play had not yet been ruled out, according to Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson.