Investigators end search for human remains By Josh Krysak
State police said they have concluded their search of two locations in Fayette and Washington counties for human remains believed to be those of a long-missing Monongahela man. Officials said Thursday that investigators cleared two sites Wednesday evening where they had been searching for the remains of Jerry Lee Cushey, who disappeared in October 2001.
Police noted that evidence of human remains was recovered from at least one of the sites.
Police said Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat, a forensic anthropologist from Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute in Erie, led an investigation at a remote wooded area in North Union Township where police confirmed they discovered human remains.
At the same time, a second team of investigators scoured a property in Twilight, Washington County. It was not clear if human remains were discovered at the site in Washington County.
The searches were conducted one day after police charged Christopher James Myers, 40, of 310 W. Crawford Ave., Connellsville, and Ronald Michael Curran, 30, of 3220 Skillet Hill Road, Elizabeth, with criminal homicide in Cushey’s death.
Police said they initiated the search for Cushey’s remains after one of the men told police where his remains were buried.
Investigators have speculated that Curran and Myers might have dismembered Cushey’s body and that his remains could be located in more than one place.
The charges were filed against Curran and Myers after an investigating grand jury in Washington County gave a sealed presentment to President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca on Monday recommending criminal homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide charges be filed against the men.
The charges stem from the disappearance of Cushey, who was 29 years old when he was reported missing Oct. 12, 2001. Washington County District Attorney Steve Toprani said the case involved cocaine trafficking and drug debts, and that Cushey allegedly owed money to Myers and Curran for cocaine he was supposed to have sold but used instead.
Police also filed charges Wednesday against Curran’s cousin, Jonathan J. Shoben, 27, of West Newton, for allegedly intimidating a witness after he allegedly called a witness and threatened the person, saying that the witness better not testify in upcoming hearings.
Police said that the investigation into Cushey’s alleged murder and the human remains discovered at both sites will continue as forensic scientists attempt to identify the remains.