Human Remains Believed to Be Linked to Missing Man Ricky James Watson Found in Rutherford County Four months after **Ricky James Watson** vanished without a trace, investigators may finally have a lead in his disappearance. On **October 14**, deputies with the **Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office** responded to a call from a resident on **Poors Ford Road**, who reported discovering what appeared to be a human bone in a wooded area.
Upon arrival, investigators confirmed the object was a **femur bone**, which was carefully collected and sent to the **State Medical Examiner’s Office** for forensic testing. The following day, law enforcement teams—including forensic experts, cadaver dogs, and volunteers—conducted a detailed search of the surrounding property for additional remains or evidence that might help determine what happened to Watson.
Watson, **55**, was last seen in **June** in the **Shiloh area**. He was reported missing shortly afterward when he failed to return home or contact his family. An **Endangered Missing Alert** was issued at the time, as his relatives feared he may have been in distress or without necessary medication.
Despite extensive search efforts that included **drones, ground crews, and tracking dogs**, no trace of him was found—until now.Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the bone definitively belongs to Watson, but investigators say the location of the discovery is **consistent with his last known whereabouts**. The identification process, which includes DNA analysis, could take several weeks.
Family members, who have endured months of uncertainty, are now anxiously awaiting answers. “We’ve prayed every day for something—anything—that could tell us where he is,” a relative shared. “Maybe now we’ll finally know.”The **Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office** continues to investigate, urging anyone with information about Watson’s disappearance to come forward.
