Human remains found in Hudson woods [Times photo: Brendan Fitterer] Sheriff's Detective Kaii Gardner, left, and Sgt. John Corbin walk through the area where remains were found in a shallow grave Wednesday. Someone called to report a strange smell. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Detectives will try to identify the person - an adult - through dental records or DNA tests. By JAMIE JONES, Times Staff Writer © St. Petersburg Times published April 3, 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HUDSON -- Pasco sheriff's detectives discovered human remains Wednesday morning in woods off Stevens Drive. Sgt. John Corbin said detectives do not yet know whether the remains are of a woman or man, young or old; however, the remains are "definitely those of an adult," said sheriff's spokesman Jon Powers. The search began late Tuesday after a person called detectives and reported a strange smell in the woods about 200 feet south of Stevens Drive and 500 yards east of Old Dixie Highway. The caller, who was not identified by authorities, reported seeing flies swarming around a disturbed patch of earth in the area. Around 9 a.m. Wednesday, four dogs with K9 Forensics Recovery Team Inc., based in Hernando County, searched the property and quickly discovered the remains. Sgt. Corbin said someone apparently dug a shallow grave just off the trail and covered it with debris, including logs. The patch of woods is well known in the community, as it contains a sinkhole that serves as the neighborhood watering hole. Kids and their parents regularly walk to the hole, about 25 feet in diameter, and jump from a bent tree limb into the water, according to neighbors. The hole stretches down hundreds of feet to an underground river that connects to a series of caves, an exploration spot for scuba divers. Detectives said they found the body about 50 feet beyond the sinkhole. They estimated the body was buried about two months ago, but will not know for sure until tests are completed. Neighbors said they could not believe that the remains were hidden for any extended period of time, as people frequently walk through the area and would have noticed anything suspicious. Sgt. Corbin said detectives will try to identify the person through dental records or DNA tests, depending on the condition of remains. Detectives began searching through missing person reports on Wednesday and checked with local hospitals to see if anyone had wandered away recently. Forensics workers spent hours unearthing the remains, which were turned over to the Pinellas-Pasco County Medical Examiner's Office at about 4 p.m. Wednesday. All the while, neighbors stood behind yellow crime scene tape, asking questions. Barb Miller, who lives off Stevens Drive, near the site, said she had heard early Wednesday that detectives found a body in the woods. She said she quickly called Hudson Middle School to check on her 12-year-old daughter, Sarah. "I'm really concerned," Miller said. "It's a sad situation. I hope they find out what happened." Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Kaii Gardner toll-free at 1-800-854-2862, ext. 7815. -- Jamie Jones covers crime in Pasco County. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6245, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6245. Her e-mail address is jjones@sptimes.com.