Identification of the human remains found in a wooded area off Business Highway 371 south of Brainerd remains a mystery.
Agents with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension processed the scene Monday but positive identification was not yet released. The BCA and the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office were stationed Sunday morning at the scene just off Business Highway 371 near Buffalo Creek about 3 miles south of Brainerd Sunday; and a sheriff deputy stayed on scene most of the day monitoring the area.
The remains will be sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner to determine positive identification of the body, reported the Brainerd Police Department.
The remains are potentially those of Marc Welzant, a developmentally disabled man who went missing near Brainerd in 2014. Marc's brother, Dave Welzant said Sunday the clothing found with the human remains is similar to the clothing worn by his brother when he went missing. Welzant found out about the discovery Saturday night.
During Sunday morning Mass, Father Tony Wroblewski told parishioners at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd-where the Welzant family attends-that Marc was found, and his announcement elicited gasps from several people in the church.
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The family has hosted a church service at the Catholic church to remember Marc for the past three birthdays since he disappeared. Marc's birthday was just celebrated on March 17 and he turned 50.
The Brainerd Police Department, which has been the agency investigating Marc's disappearance since Day 1, is the primary office overseeing the case.
Marc was last seen the afternoon of Oct. 26, 2014, when he left his group home. He was recorded on video at the Holiday Gas Station on South Sixth Street in Brainerd shortly before 3 p.m. In addition, Brainerd police received a report at 4:30 p.m. from a group of people who saw Marc heading west on the walking trail at Kiwanis Park.
Initial searches included the areas of Kiwanis Park to the Buster Dog Park, the Buffalo Hills Trail, behind the Brainerd Water Plant, as well as the woods between the Mississippi River to Central Lakes College. However, he was never found.
Marc, who is the youngest of 11 siblings, was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at 2 years of age, a rare genetic disorder that can result in a range of physical, mental and behavioral problems.
Marc is described as a white male, about 5 feet, 2 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing dark sweat pants, a dark green jacket and tennis shoes. Marc weighs anywhere from 160 to 200 pounds and has a pear-shaped body appearance.
Marc's family describes him as walking with a slight limp.
Those with information regarding Marc's disappearance are asked to contact the Brainerd Police Department at 218-829-2805.
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