Authorities confirm bone discovered near North Platte River was missing Scottsbluff man
A human bone discovered near the North Platte between Melbeta and Minatare in October 2021 was matched to a missing Scottsbluff man.
By News Channel NebraskaSCOTTSBLUFF - A human bone discovered near the North Platte between Melbeta and Minatare in October 2021 was matched to a missing Scottsbluff man.
According to authorities, Walter Eugene Patterson-Black was reported missing on May 17, 2016. He was last seen on May 12, 2016 at a local convenience store. Law enforcement searched on foot, by air, and by cadaver dogs since his disappearance.
A piece of clothing found with the discovered bone two years ago resembled the shirt Paterson-Black was last observed wearing. The bone was sent for DNA comparison to items belonging to Mr. Patterson-Black that were collected during the initial investigation.
The Scottsbluff Police Department received confirmation on Sept. 14 the DNA profiles of the bone and Patterson-Black were a match.
"On behalf of the Scottsbluff Police Department, our hopes are the family may now have some closure and peace knowing Gene has been located," Detective Brandi Brunz said. "The Scottsbluff Police Department would like to thank the following agencies and groups that assisted in our investigation; the Scottsbluff Fire Department, Scottsbluff County CERT, Airlink, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Goshen County Search and Rescue, and Kris Brock and the Tri-State K-9’s."