An autopsy and other forensic examinations will be performed to determine the identity and cause of death.
Public Works employees found the remains around 2 p.m. beside a vacant building off Highway 158 in the Carter and Spring street area.
Hasty said there were no obvious signs of gunshots or blunt force trauma “but further examination will hopefully determine a cause of death and positive ID of the person.”
Hasty declined to speculate on who the person might be.
The East Carolina University School of Anthropology stayed at the scene assisting investigators until nearly 9 p.m. Tuesday.
