Human remains identified as Russell Long

Human remains identified: Russell Long

Missing since April 6, local man’s remains found near rural road
A set of human remains found on Farm Road 59, northwest of Bois D’Arc, Friday, June 4, has been confirmed as the remains of Russell Long, reported missing on April 6.

In a press release sent out the afternoon of Tuesday, June 8, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the remains belonged to local Russell Long, who has been the subject of multiple searches over the last two months. The release also confirmed that the case is now being investigated as a homicide.

Deputy Jason Winston, public information officer for the Greene County Sheriff’ Office (GCSO), said an autopsy was used to help determine the identity. Winston said the remains were badly decayed, which kept them from making a visual determination of Long’s identity or even gender.
“There was definitely … heavy decomposition,” he said.

Winston said the level of the remains’ decay also prevented them from knowing how long the body was at the spot where they were found, or whether Long had died there or had died elsewhere and was moved to that location.
“We can’t make that determination at this time,” he said.

The Tuesday press release also said workers with the Greene County Highway Department made the gruesome discovery while working the road.