The badly decomposed remains found in Louisiana woods Wednesday are likely those of a missing New Jersey geocacher, the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office said.
Robert Owens Jr., 58, was likely the person found dead at around 9 a.m., Wednesday near a creek nearly half a mile away from the Kisatchie National Forest.
The New Jersey man was reported missing on July 17 but had not been heard from since July 9.
“Due to severe decomposition of the remains, positive identification is pending,” authorities said.
Investigators believe the remains belong to the avid geocacher due to clothing and physical traits observed at the scene.
Geocaching is an outdoor activity that consists of finding and hiding containers using Global Positioning Systems.
Owens' son said that his father left the family home on July 7 for his trip.
“I genuinely don't even know what to say. It breaks me trying to process this all. You were and still are the best dad you could be. You were more than the best,” he said.
