Human remains were found in Putnam County in the early morning of Wednesday, December 28.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office believes the remains belong to the missing person, Perry Bowman.

According to officials, a family member reported 35-year-old Perry Isaac Bowman of Baxter, missing on Thursday, Dec. 1. However, deputies said Bowman was last seen by his family on Sept. 23.

Officials have sent Bowman’s remains to the Tennessee Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.

Putnam County Sheriff, Eddie Farris, shared a statement to the Bowman family.

“Since Bowman was reported missing on December 1st, our investigators have been working tirelessly in attempting to locate Bowman. This is not the outcome we hoped for. I ask that you keep the Bowman family in your thoughts and prayers.”