Remains thought to be those of missing man

Human remains discovered off Cook Road, east of Ruston, are believed to be those of a man missing since May, the Lincoln Parish Sheriff ’s Office said Monday.

Sheriff Mike Stone confirmed authorities think the skeletal remains are those of Jeff Norsworthy, 47, who had been missing since May 9.

The remains were found Monday morning by a person who was looking at some property in the Cook Road area for possible purchase, LPSO Deputy Matt Henderson said.

Deputies were called and did a thorough search of the area, Henderson said.

Representatives from the LSU Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services (FACES) are assisting with the investigation, he said. The remains were taken to the FACES lab for DNA analysis.

Authorities did not speculate on a cause of death or how long Norsworthy might have been deceased. Norsworthy lived on Cook Road.

He was last seen walking near the Relax Inn around noon on May 9, heading south on Trenton Street toward downtown Ruston.

Relatives of Norsworthy say he last communicated with them on the night of May 8, according to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Norsworthy’s vehicle was left at his residence, along with his wallet and cell phone, authorities said.

There had also been no activity on his bank account since before his disappearance, they said at the time.