An almost three and a half month missing person investigation in Liberty County is thought to now be solved when skeletal remains were found by two members of Texas EquuSearch in a section of woods just west of CR 2003 in Hardin, Texas at around 1:05 pm today. Although a confirmed identity cannot be made until an autopsy is conducted and dental records and DNA testing can be completed, from the description of clothing found at the scene which matches the clothing worn by Christopher Maes, age 23, who walked away from his home at about 2:30am on August 28th, it is quite possible the remains are those of Mr. Maes.
The family of Christopher Maes reported their son missing after he left their home on the morning of August 28. and has not been seen since. According to Sheriff’s Department lead Investigator, Sgt. Josh Cummins, the family reported that their son had a medical issue as well as some depression over a recent failed relationship. The family had been getting conflicting reports from others as to what had happened to their son and a couple of possible locations were mentioned as to where he might be found.
The Sheriff’s Investigators, along with the family and Texas EquuSearch Director Tim Miller met to discuss possible search activities for these locations. At 9:am today, Director Miller and a sonar team searched a body of water in the Outlaw Bend Sub-Division of North Liberty County with negative results.
The Command Center was then moved to an area in Hardin and approximately eighteen searchers consisting of Texas EquuSearch and the Sheriff Department Mounted Posse began searching wooded areas near the home of Christopher Maes. In less than an hour, two Texas EquuSearch volunteer members, Paul Kocah and Mike Joy found the skeletal remains approximately 75 yards behind the family home in the thick woods.
Justice of the Peace Pct. 3, Cody Parrish came to the scene and ordered an autopsy of the remains. At this time there is no known cause of death and, again, no CONFIRMED identification can be made until the autopsy is completed.