Newton County Sheriff gives updates on two cases of high interest

Newton County Sheriff Robert Burby gave two updates on recent cases under investigation. Burby said tests had revealed that a human skull and backbone found near the Sabine River, not far from Bon Wier were from the same individual. Burby said that even though there was no additional information regarding about the body parts or who they belonged to, tests had revealed they were from the same body, even though they were found in two different locations on different days. Burby said the investigation into the discoveries was still underway and that he was waiting on additional results of tests; hoping they would reveal more information. On an unrelated matter; Burby said that he had recently received substantial leads that might soon reveal additional information as he and others continue to investigate the disappearance of Joshua Larkin, a thirty-eight-year-old call man who has been missing since November of 2022. Burby held short of releasing the full details of those leads, but said he believed they would lead the investigation in the right direction. Burby has said in the past that he did not believe the bones found last month to be connected to the disappearance of Larkin. However, he said the investigation was continuing.