State police looking for connection between human remains and missing disabled man

Town of Endfield, NY--The New York State police in Ithaca are trying to figure out if the human remains found early Thursday morning on Halseyville Road, in the town of Endfield on the border with the town of Ulysses in Tompkins County, are those of a missing disabled man. The remains were found about 6:45 a.m. in a wooded...

Vincent F. Williams

Town of Endfield, NY--The New York State police in Ithaca are trying to figure out if the human remains found early Thursday morning on Halseyville Road, in the town of Endfield on the border with the town of Ulysses in Tompkins County, are those of a missing disabled man.

The remains were found about 6:45 a.m. in a wooded area off Halseyville Road, which is a heavily traveled road in that rural area, said Capt. James Barnes, the head of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation for Troop C in Ithaca.

Officials from the state police, the New York State Park Police, New York State Forest Rangers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police, the Tompkins County’s Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney, and the Ithaca Police Department searched the area.

The adult remains were spread around, which is an indication that animals had been at them, he said. The remains were taken to the State University of New York Binghamton where a forensic anthropologist is working on their identification, he said.

The state police haven’t determined how the victim died, Barnes said.

State police continue to interview people and anyone with information is asked to call the state police in Ithaca at 607-347-4440, or the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office at 607-257-1345. All calls will remain confidential.

Barnes said state police are trying to determine if the remains are those of Vincent F. Williams, 31, of 1774 Mecklenburg Road, Endfield, who was reported missing in March. His home is not too far away from where the remains were found, Barnes said.

Williams is described as being about 5’10” and weighing 165 pounds. His left leg has been amputated and he used a wheelchair, according to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department’s website.

A witness believed he may have seen Williams on March 12 in Ithaca. However, Williams’ benefit cards have not been used since mid-February. He may also have visited the Bronx around the same time, the website said.