Human remains found in area where missing Natchitoches Parish man was last seen | News

NATCHITOCHES, La. – The disappearance of a Natchitoches parish for two years may no longer be a mystery.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's deputies this morning found human remains less than a mile from where Steven Burkett was last seen on February 12, 2022. Burkett's disappearance was the subject of an ongoing investigation and has given rise to numerous searches in this area.

While detectives are remaining tight-lipped about their investigation, they say today's search was the result of a missing person tip.

KTBS reporter Brittany Breeding brought attention to the case in March with a detailed report that included information from the sheriff's office that had not been previously released.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright and Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell were on scene today along with Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's detectives, Sabine Parish Sheriff's detectives, members of the NPSO Dive Team and the North Sabine Parish Dive Team when they found the human skeletal remains in the water and on the outer banks of a private pond off Preston Hayes Road near Marthaville .

Natchitoches Parish Coroner Steven Clanton recovered the remains, which will be taken to the LSU Forensic Anthropology and Computing Enhancement Services Laboratory in Baton Rouge for positive identification and further analysis.

“It appears the remains had been in that area for a few years,” Clanton said.

Detectives and members of the dive team remained on scene throughout the afternoon, combing the shallow waters of the pond and the outer banks for any additional evidence that might help in investigation.

Sheriff's Detective Lt. Jonathan Byles said the recovery of the remains was made in an area about ¾ of a mile from where Natchitoches and Sabine detectives searched for Burkett over the past two years.

No positive identification of the remains has been made; however, his family and friends have been informed of today's recovery.

Byles previously told KTBS that Burkett was seen going to a nearby wooded area with two other people. Burkett was the only one not to come out.

Byles said the other two people went into the woods for a reason. There was a group of 18-wheel vans or trailers loaded with belongings, furniture, tools and other items belonging to someone who lived in Shreveport. Burkett and the others went “looting that property,” Byles said in March.

Burkett's disappearance was the subject of an extensive investigation and multiple searches on foot, by ATV and with cadaver dogs.

Burkett left behind a girlfriend, an ex-wife, a son and a daughter.

“Our detectives, with the help of Sabine Parish detectives, have been tirelessly investigating this and other missing persons cases from the very beginning. We are following leads, facts and evidence wherever possible. lead us Our detectives and Sabine Parish detectives continue to assault.We are actively pursuing rapidly developing leads in this case and we hope to be able to bring closure to this victim’s family,” Wright said.