Skeletal remains found in Jenkins identified
The skeletal remains found in rural Jenkins in March 2018 were identified as the man above, Ronald Jessup Brightwell, 35, of Springfield.
May 22, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
The Barry County Sheriff’s Department is seeking tips regarding an ongoing investigation of skeletal remains found south of Jenkins on March 26, 2018. On May 17 of this year, the sheriff’s department released a statement identifying the man whose remains were found as Ronald Jessup Brightwell, 35, of Springfield.
The case is under investigation by detective Doug Henry, who is asking anyone who had contact with Brightwell prior to his disappearance to contact the Sheriff’s Department. If you or anyone you know had contact with Brightwell in person, by phone, text or social media prior to his disappearance in 2012, call (417) 847-6556.
There is no additional information regarding whether the death is being investigated as foul play. In 2018, the body was found in rural Jenkins by a property owner on Farm Road 2120. At that time Det. Henry said, “A body doesn’t bury itself, and this person was buried until nature unburied the remains.”
Natural forces uncovered the skeleton over time.
Initially, pictures of some jewelry found with Brightwell’s remains were released to the public in hopes of identifying the body. Those items were a bracelet, a bottle opener thumb bring and a NEFF brand rubber watch band. Now that the skeletal remains have been positively identified, the investigation continues.
The remains were sent to a lab at the University of North Texas when they were found in March 2018.
If you have any information related to this case or had contact with Brightwell prior to his disappearance in 2012, contact the Barry County Sheriff’s Office at (417) 847-6556.
Charlea Estes-Jones
The Barry County Sheriff’s Department is seeking tips regarding an ongoing investigation of skeletal remains found south of Jenkins on March 26, 2018. On May 17 of this year, the sheriff’s department released a statement identifying the man whose remains were found as Ronald Jessup Brightwell, 35, of Springfield.
The case is under investigation by detective Doug Henry, who is asking anyone who had contact with Brightwell prior to his disappearance to contact the Sheriff’s Department. If you or anyone you know had contact with Brightwell in person, by phone, text or social media prior to his disappearance in 2012, call (417) 847-6556.
There is no additional information regarding whether the death is being investigated as foul play. In 2018, the body was found in rural Jenkins by a property owner on Farm Road 2120. At that time Det. Henry said, “A body doesn’t bury itself, and this person was buried until nature unburied the remains.”
Natural forces uncovered the skeleton over time.
Initially, pictures of some jewelry found with Brightwell’s remains were released to the public in hopes of identifying the body. Those items were a bracelet, a bottle opener thumb bring and a NEFF brand rubber watch band. Now that the skeletal remains have been positively identified, the investigation continues.
The remains were sent to a lab at the University of North Texas when they were found in March 2018.
If you have any information related to this case or had contact with Brightwell prior to his disappearance in 2012, contact the Barry County Sheriff’s Office at (417) 847-6556.
