BCSO: Skeletal remains found in far west Bexar County burned beyond recognition

'At this point, we just have bones,' BCSO spokesman says

BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is investigating after human remains burned beyond recognition were found in the far west area of the county. 

BCSO said it received a call after a person found burned remains around 3 p.m. in the 1300 block of Highway 211 North between Bandera and Culebra roads, just before the Medina County line.

BCSO spokesman Johnny Garcia said the body was found about 75-100 yards off the roadway behind some brush. The body was found in a burned area.

“This body is completely burned at this point … to the point of no recognition,” Garcia said. “At this time, we just have bones.”

Garcia said there’s no time frame as to how long the body had been hidden in the brush. He said there’s about a 15-foot slope to get down to the area where the remains were found.

“It’s hard to get down. There’s also some trails and tracks that vehicles appeared to have frequented on. Not too sure if they were (trails) that have been there for quite some time, but there is some trail leading back to that area,” Garcia said.

Garcia said the area is completely dark at night, so he’s urging anyone who believes they may have seen something to come forward.

Cadaver dogs were brought out to check the surrounding area for any other pieces of evidence. The drone team is also assisting with an aerial view of the scene.

Garcia said it’s too early to tell if the remains are connected to Andreen McDonald’s missing persons case. Sheriff Javier Salazar said he's cautiously optimistic the remains are McDonald's, but he said it could be several months before the remains are identified. 

"We're hoping to find Andreen. We absolutely are. My homicide folks, they're working around the clock on this case, coming in on their days off, organizing search parties -- one, two, three, up to hundreds of people. We've been working like crazy to get some closure for Andreen's family. We're hoping that this is her."

The Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office is helping to preserve the crime scene. The medical examiner's office took possession of the remains to help identify them.

"Hopefully, dental records will yield something," Salazar said.

Salazar said the Sheriff's Office will continue its investigation Friday morning. 

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to call 210-335-6070 or email bcsotips@bexar.org.


About the Author:

Ivan Herrera has worked as a journalist in San Antonio since 2016. His work for KSAT 12 and KSAT.com includes covering breaking news of the day, as well as producing Q&As and content for the "South Texas Pride" and "KSAT Money" series.