Shelby County Sheriff’s Office detectives say the skull found last weekend near Collierville along Reynolds Road belonged to a woman. The other two bones found near the skull were from a deer skeleton.

The skull and bones were examined by the Shelby County Medical Examiner’s Office. Investigators told Sheriff’s detectives late today the woman was Caucasian and in her early twenties. There were teeth in the skull, which indicated the woman’s wisdom teeth had been removed.

Medical Examiners could not determine how long the skull had been in the wooded area. Because of deterioration, investigators say the skull could have been there from two to ten years.

Photos available:

• Skull and Bones Found - Photo 1
• Skull and Bones Found - Photo 2
• Skull and Bones Found - Photo 3

The skull has not been linked to any missing person cases investigated by Sheriff’s Deputies. However, late this afternoon Sheriff’s detectives issued a nation-wide bulletin to other law enforcement agencies.

The skull and two other bones were discovered last Saturday afternoon about 4 o’clock by a deer hunter. Yesterday, detectives and volunteers with the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Bureau searched the area for several hours with specially trained dogs that detect human remains. Although one piece of clothing was found in the area, it has not been linked to the woman’s skull.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH (2274) or the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (901) 545-5600.