Authorities Hope Ring Might Help ID Remains

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (AP) — The first phase of an autopsy on some skeletal remains found in southern Minnesota is complete. But authorities still don't know the cause of what they say is a suspicious death.

The Freeborn County sheriff's officials say a property owner found the bones Monday just north of Albert Lea along Interstate 90.

Sheriff Kurt Freitag said in a statement Thursday that a ring and shoes were found with the remains. The ring is gold with a large red stone and shaped like a class ring. The shoes were made by the Mario De Gerard company.

Authorities say the bones appear to be male and apparently were there for a number of years. Freitag says a second and more detailed phase of the autopsy will be conducted.