Coroner's Office Works to Identify Skeletal Remains Found in Preble County

Investigators are using various methods, including DNA testing, to determine the identity of the remains.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single bone fragment or piece of skeletal evidence, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, dramatic, and investigative aesthetic.The grim task of identifying skeletal remains exposes the painstaking forensic work required to provide closure for grieving families.Enon Today

The Preble County Sheriff's Office reported that skeletal remains were discovered in an empty building along Eaton-Lewisburg Road on Tuesday night. Coroner's office investigators are now working to identify the remains, which is one of several unidentified cases they handle each week. The process can take months or even years, as the experts utilize techniques like DNA testing, fingerprints, dental records, and medical implant information to try to make an identification.

Why it matters

The discovery of unidentified human remains is an unfortunate but important part of the work done by coroner's offices and crime labs. Identifying the deceased can provide closure for families and help investigators determine what happened. This case highlights the challenges and persistence required to solve these types of cases, even when the initial discovery is made.

The details

According to Kaitlyn Nicholson, the quality manager at the Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab, the coroner's office is using various methods to try to identify the skeletal remains, including DNA testing, which is considered the 'golden standard.' However, DNA testing is not always effective, as they need to have a family member's DNA to compare it to. The Preble County Sheriff's Office reported that someone discovered the remains in an empty building, and a local resident, Brittney Smith, said she was shocked by the discovery, as she had heard people were squatting in the building a couple of years ago.

  • The skeletal remains were discovered on Tuesday night in Preble County.
  • The coroner's office received the remains 10 days later.

The players

Kaitlyn Nicholson

The quality manager at the Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab, who discussed the methods used to identify the remains, including DNA testing.

Brittney Smith

A Preble County resident who was shocked to hear that someone had discovered the skeletal remains in an empty building, as she had heard people were squatting there a couple of years ago.

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What they’re saying

“So, depending on the sample, you're going to have to have family members and have something to compare it.”

— Kaitlyn Nicholson, Quality Manager, Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab

What’s next

Investigators are continuing to work on the steps to make an identification of the skeletal remains, which can take a long time. They are utilizing various methods, including DNA testing, to try to determine the identity of the deceased.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges and persistence required by coroner's offices and crime labs to identify unknown human remains, even when the initial discovery is made. The process can take months or years, as experts utilize a variety of techniques, including DNA testing, to try to provide closure for families and aid investigators in determining what happened.