Detectives were attempting to locate Stephen Scott (born June 7, 1969) whose family members had reported missing on July 6, 2022. Since the date of the initial report, Cookeville officers had made repeated attempts to locate Mr. Scott and entered him as missing in the National Crime Information Center system.

After an acquaintance of Mr. Scott directed detectives to a wooded area where Mr. Scott had previously maintained a campsite, detectives located skeletal remains and a wallet containing Mr. Scott’s identification in the heavy undergrowth.

Although a forensic examination of the remains will be necessary to make a positive identification of the decedent, detectives notified Mr. Scott’s next of kin of the developments to date. At this point in the investigation, no foul play is suspected but the investigation is still ongoing.

Therefore, the Cookeville Police Department is asking anyone who may have information related to this investigation to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 931-520-5322.