Timmins police are investigating after skeletal remains were discovered along a walking trail in the Hersey Lake Conservation Area earlier this week. Police said they received the report Nov. 3 after a person walking a dog came across the remains and contacted authorities. The remains were located just west of Hersey Lake, off one of the conservation area’s main walking trails. Police estimate the person died sometime in 2026, although it is not known how long the remains had been at the location. “There’s no foul play suspected at this time,” said Det. Sgt. Kathryn Beatty. The remains have been collected and are being sent to the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto for examination. Cause of death unknown “We don’t have a cause of death yet,” Beatty said. The investigation is being conducted in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner. A forensic anthropologist is also assisting. Beatty said these types of discoveries are relatively uncommon. While she said there can be several possible explanations, including medical issues or accidental overdoses, she said investigators do not yet know what happened in this case. The immediate area was secured while police investigated, but the scene has since been cleared and has been reopened to the public. Police are reminding the public that anyone who comes across something they believe could be human remains should contact police and avoid disturbing the scene.
