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Authorities first found human remains in the area of Poors Ford Road in Ruthfordton, N.C., on Oct. 14, and discovered more a week later

They said they believe the discoveries could be linked to missing person Ricky Watson, who was last seen in June 2025

"Finding bones in the yard, that I think might be my son, that’s a horrible thing,” Watson's mother Patricia Upton said

After the discovery of what they believed to be a human bone last week, North Carolina authorities are investigating additional human remains that they say could be linked to a missing persons case from earlier this summer.

In June, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office asked for the public’s help while seeking information about Ricky Watson, 55, who was last seen in the Shiloh area of Rutherford County.

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