Lawrence County Sheriff Lessie Butler expects remains found in the woods near Arm to be identified next week.

Butler said rabbit hunters discovered a skull and some bones Saturday morning on land leased for hunting on Billy Davis Road in southeast Lawrence County. A forensic anthropologist from the state medical examiner’s lab collected the remains and they’ll be tested for an identification.

“I hope we get something back from the crime lab in about two weeks, depending on how long it takes them to do what they do,” he said.

Hunting dogs located the skull and some additional bones were found nearby. Many were missing he said, but were possibly carried off by animals.

Butler said the skull likely belongs to a male.

“Once they get it to the lab, they’ll give us more information,” he said. “It was out in the elements for quite a while.”

Deputies don’t know how the person died. “We didn’t locate a weapon at the site,” he said. “We haven’t ruled suicide completely out yet.”

Butler hasn’t ruled out homicide either.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department at 601-587-2961.