PICKENS COUNTY, Ga. — An investigation is underway after a hunter discovered partial skeletal remains Wednesday in a wooded area near Highway 515 and Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, according to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s office detectives responded to the area Oct. 14 and processed the scene before beginning an effort to recover additional remains.

On Saturday, detectives returned to the area with assistance from Alpha Team K9 Search & Rescue and located additional skeletal remains believed to be associated with the initial discovery.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been requested to assist with processing the scene.

Authorities have not identified the individual whose remains were found.

Additional forensic testing will be conducted in an effort to determine the person’s identity and, if possible, establish a cause of death.

The sheriff’s office urged the public to refrain from speculation or sharing unverified information while the investigation continues.

Officials said forensic testing can take time and that additional confirmed information will be released when it becomes available and is appropriate for release.