MARION COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) – Remains found in Marion County are believed to belong to a missing Columbia man, according to authorities.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the remains found Thursday may belong to Delmar Lee Blake Jr. He was reported missing from the Columbia area in August 2023.

MCSO said the remains were sent to the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory for positive identification, but are believed to be those of Blake.

MCSO said they received information about a vehicle found in a heavily wooded area in the Lampton community that matched the description of the one that belonged to Blake.

Investigators from the sheriff’s office and the Columbia Police Department responded to the scene and confirmed that the vehicle was registered to Blake.

Then investigators would search the area where they ended up locating the remains.

Marion County Coroner Jessie Graham responded and assisted with the recovery.

According to the sheriff’s office, no foul play is suspected, but the investigation is ongoing.

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