Remains dug up by authorities earlier this month have been positively identified through dental records as Chase Massner — the Iraq War veteran who went missing on March 26, 2014.
The Cobb County Medical Examiner’s office discovered leftover bones and other body parts August 1 in the backyard of suspect James Bradshaw Clement’s former residence at 555 Farmbrook Trail in Kennesaw, Georgia, WGCL-TV Atlanta reports.
Cobb spokeswoman officer Alicia Chilton initially said in a news release the medical examiners were unsure whether the rotted remains that were sniffed out by dogs belonged to an animal or a human.
The Cobb County Medical Examiner’s office has positively identified remains found buried behind a home in Kennesaw in early August as Chase Massner
Remains belonging to Massner were found buried behind a home once owned by Brad Clement, the man accused of concealing Massner’s dead body
The remains were identified through dental records from the Department of Defense
Officials initially did not know whether the bones belonged to a human or an animal
‘The remains have been removed from the backyard of the residence, and the medical examiner and detectives are now working to identify the remains,’ Chilton first announced a few weeks back.
Clement, 31, who was a friend of Massner’s, is believed to be the last person to have contact with him the night he disappeared for good.
Massner reportedly left work at a QuikTrip convenience shop in the area that day, and was picked up by Clement at a nearby Arby’s restaurant, Massner told police after the discovery.
Clement said he was consoling Massner and keeping him company after he revealed to him he and his wife has been dealing with marital issues.
James Bradshaw Clement was charged with concealing a death
Clement initially ran from authorities after they found the remains belonging to Massner
Massner allegedly stayed at his place that night and walked out the next day without explanation on where he was headed.
Following the discovery of Massner’s remains, Clement fled the neighborhood for several days. He was arrested in Dekalb County two weeks ago.
Clement has been charged with concealing a death, a crime he told police he planned to turn himself in for but changed his mind, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Massner disappeared for good March 26, 2014
He previously denied allegations against him since the case opened up.
It’s unclear whether Massner’s wife at the time had any contact with him the day of his disappearance. Her name has not been released.
Clement told police Massner was having marital problems when he came to stay the night at his place
It’s unclear whether Massner’s wife at the time had any contact with him the day of his disappearance
Mother to the Army vet, Stephanie Cadena, expressed grievances and frustration regarding the ongoing search in an interview with the news station.
‘I’m in no way an expert, but to a mother just wanting to lay her son to rest, this is incomprehensible,’ Cadena said of the three year-long process.
‘Now we can begin to plan a proper funeral for Chase, our son, husband and father,’ Cadena, added. ‘The next step is to prosecute the man being charged in this case!’
Clement has since been jailed in DeKalb County while further investigation is underway.
Clement was arrested in DeKalb County, where he is currently jailed