September 17, 2015 - The Center Police Department has released information pertaining to the identity of remains located earlier this month on the north side of Center. Law enforcement searched the area off Tenaha Street in Center late into the evening on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 which continued into Wednesday, September 2, 2015.
According to the press release issued by the Center Police Department, the land owner reported at 8:07pm that while walking their dog in the back yard they located a human skull and bones.
Center Police Detectives Stephen Stroud and David Haley responded to the residence, where it was confirmed that the bones were in fact human. Upon further Investigation by Detectives Stroud and Haley, Detective Sgt. Nicole Faulkner and Texas Ranger Travis Brazil and Texas Department of Public Safety, more of the remains were recovered at the scene.
A hip replacement medical device found in the remains led to identifying the remains as Richard Vance Ethridge, 41, of Center, who has been missing since July 4th 2015. The recovered remains were transported to the UNT Health Science Center Located in Denton, Texas. The cause of death is undetermined at this time pending the report from the UNT Health Science Center.
Previous information reported by the Center Police Department indicated Ethridge was last seen at the Super 8 Motel in Center which is about 2,000 feet from the property where the remains were located.
