Human skeletal remains found in Talladega identified as missing 63-year-old man

TALLADEGA, Ala. (WBRC) - Human skeletal remains that were discovered following a brush fire in Talladega earlier this year have been identified as a man who was reported missing in 2021.

The Talladega Fire Department responded to a brush fire behind Marvins in Talladega on March 24. Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters discovered human skeletal remains in the underbrush.

Authorities took the remains to the Dept. of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for an autopsy and identification.

Investigators were notified on Monday, Aug. 5 that they made a positive DNA-based identification of the remains to be those of 63-year-old Joe Samuel Whitson who was reported missing in February 2021.

The manner of death is believed to be natural causes.

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