MASON CITY, Iowa -- Human remains found northeast of the city last summer are those of a 44-year-old man last seen alive almost a decade ago, authorities said.
State Medical Examiner Dr. Julia Goodin identified the remains as those of James Maurice Perkins.
The investigation continues into the cause of death.
Perkins was last seen on May 15, 1995, by authorities called to investigate a possible assault. According to newspaper accounts, police found him hiding in an empty grain wagon. He was armed with a hatchet and a knife. Perkins jumped out of the wagon, made a threatening move toward a woman and fled into a swampy ravine.
Farm workers found the remains near a creek in July, and there was quick speculation that they were the remains of missing KIMT-TV anchorwoman Jodi Huisentruit. She was abducted on her way to work on June 27, 1995.
