Skeletal remains were discovered at a New York nature preserve on Saturday, two years after authorities searched the location for a boy who vanished in 2000.
A law enforcement source told the Albany Times-Union that “non-adult human” bones — including a skull and ribs — were found at Burden Pond Preserve in Troy. A tip led detectives to a 100-square-foot area on the preserve, not far from where they searched for Jaliek Rainwalker in 2022.
Rainwalker, who was in the foster care system, was 12 when he vanished from Greenwich in 2022. WNNE reported that Rainwalker’s adoptive father was named a person of interest in the case. He lives in Vermont and has not been charged in connection with Rainwalker’s disappearance.
The source told the Albany Times-Union that the bones belonged to a “mid-to-late teenager.” However, Rainwalker’s adoptive grandmother said an identification has not yet been made.
A woman walking in the preserve reportedly discovered the bones and called Troy police. On Monday, investigators continued to comb the area for clues.
Foul play is suspected in Rainwalker’s disappearance. The Albany Times-Union reported that Rainwalker’s father claimed they were staying at a relative’s home when the teen vanished at night. The father allegedly told authorities that he woke up and realized he was missing.
According to WTEN, Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan said forensic testing could be completed by the end of this week.
[Feature Photo: Handout]
