Human Remains Found in Woods Identified

The Manassas City Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner have positively identified the human remains that were discovered on Sept. 14 as those of 51-year-old William Lewis Schaeffer Jr., of Manassas. 

"Both cause and manner of death have yet to be determined by the Medical Examiner," said a release from the Manassas City Police Department. "At this time, there is no indication that Mr. Schaeffer’s death was caused by a criminal act. However, the investigation is ongoing and additional information may be released when available."

Sgt. Lowell Nevill with the MCPD told Patch on Sept. 19 that the remains were male. 

Schaeffer’s family has been notified, police said. 

Landscape workers found unidentified human remains in Manasas on Sept. 14, according to the Manassas City Police Department. The workers called police at 2:36 p.m., after they discovered the remains in a wooded area near Dumfries Road and Manassas Mill Road.