JENNY LIND, Ark. (AP) — A western Arkansas family is hoping that remains found in a creek bed south of Fort Smith are those of a missing relative.
A skull and other remains were found Tuesday near Jenny Lind. The location is about two miles from where then-66-year-old Billy Wheeler was last seen before disappearing in April 2009.
The remains have been sent to State Crime Lab in Little Rock for identification.
Wheeler's uncle — Don Wheeler — told KFSM that the family has no hope that Wheeler is still alive. He says he hopes the remains are his nephew's in order to bring the family closure.
Authorities say Billy Wheeler had Parkinson's disease and was wearing only pajamas when he wandered away from a relative's home.
