A two-day police search in woods draws attention, but yields nothing

A tip leads to extensive excavation for a possible body

By: Courtney Gross
   After searching the woods off Bunn Drive for possible human remains for two consecutive days, Princeton Township Police, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and State Police concluded Tuesday afternoon "nothing of interest" was beneath the ground’s surface.
   As cars drove along Bunn Drive on Tuesday afternoon, many had to divert around a phalanx of police vehicles that lined Bunn Drive, where county, state and local officials investigated a depression in the ground that some thought might contain a human body.
   Several hundred feet within the heavily wooded area near Princeton Community Village and Hilltop Park and down a pathway carved into the woods, police dug 6 feet into the ground looking for answers.
   Although the scene Tuesday appeared to be serious, police found only water underneath the soil following hours of digging and investigation, acting Police Chief Mark Emann said.
   The investigation began after police received a tip that old clothing was found 100 yards south of Bunn Drive on Nov. 17, acting Chief Emann said. Police could not determine if the clothing, which was left within the past year, was male or female, he added.
   A State Police dog trained to detect human remains "indicated" a body could be within the soil, according to the police report.
   Police continued the investigation Monday by digging by hand at the site where depressions 4 feet wide, 6 feet long, and approximately 8 inches deep were present, acting Chief Emann said.
   On Tuesday, police continued to dig at the site of the depression, but after several hours and 6 feet of earth excavated, officials found nothing but water, the acting chief said.
   In response, police requested another scent dog, who later did not indicate remains were at the site.
   "We believe that the first dog had a false indication," acting Chief Emann said.
   The investigation concluded 2 p.m. Tuesday and was defined as unsuspicious by police.