DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — A human skull was discovered in West Hanover Township by a Forensic Anthropology team from Mercyhurst University.
Police say a human skull found by hikers may be connected to the disappearance of Heike Leich, 47, who went missing in 2007.
The skull was found in a wooded area along Fishing Creek Valley Road in West Hanover Township, Dauphin county near Leich’s home where she was last seen
According to police, Leich was reported missing on August 8th 2007 by her boyfriend and his son who she lived with.
Leich left behind her ID, purse and medication she needed.
“There are some people we are looking at. It could be likely it is the person that wondered off in that area [Leich] but there are other people that went missing in that area at that time, too,” said Graham Hetrick, Dauphin County Coroner.
Hertrick says with the condition the skull is in, it may be a lengthy process to identify it.
“It’s questionable whether we can get DNA so they’ll have to get it from different sites,” he said.
“We can’t compare dental records or anything because there are no teeth, no jaw, they haven’t found any of that,” Hetrick added.
The discovery of the skull was originally made on February 9 by outdoors men hiking in the area.
At this time, officials have found no additional remains and further testing is necessary.
The analysis process will include support from the University of North Texas Center of Human Identification.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.