Human remains found in Rutherford County, North Carolina, have been identified as a man who has been missing since June.

On Oct. 14, deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office were called to the 2800 block of Poors Ford Road in Rutherfordton for a report of a possible human bone being found. Investigators believed the bone to be a femur.

The femur was turned over to the North Carolina state medical examiner’s office for further evaluation and identification.

On Oct. 20, investigators further searched the area where the bone was found. Authorities said the area is heavily wooded and across the road from where Ricky Watson was last seen and reported missing in June 2025.

During the search, investigators found a significant portion of human skeletal remains. The remains were a

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