Human skull discovered on private property identified as man missing for nearly a year

LIBERTY CITY, Texas (KLTV/gray News) - Texas authorities say human remains that were found have been identified as those of a missing man who was reported missing last year.

According to the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation began after a human skull was discovered in September 2025 on private property.

Investigators submitted the remains to the University of North Texas Center for human identification and forensic analysis.

In March of this year, investigators said they were notified that a DNA profile had been successfully developed from the remains. It was entered into the Combined DNA Index System.

In May, authorities said they received word that the remains were those of Mitchell Walters.

The sheriff’s office reported Walters as a missing person in July 2025. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.

Gregg County authorities said Walters’ family has also been notified.