Human remains found in Howell County belonged to son of Gainesville woman

The Howell County Sheriff’s Department has identified human remains found in a wooded area off Highway 17, south of West Plains, as those of 36-year-old Franklin David Clark. Clark’s mother, Pauline King, lives north of Gainesville. 

“At this point, we’re still waiting for the finalized report from the anthropologist,” Howell County Chief Deputy Justin Riley said. “Typically I believe they run similarly to an autopsy report, about six to eight weeks. So far we haven’t heard anything, but we could receive it anytime.”

Riley said the human remains were first reported on March 9 in a wooded area off Highway 17. The remains  were in an advanced state of decomposition, and investigators believed Clark was likely dead for several months before the remains were found. 

On April 2, the Howell County Coroner received confirmation that the remains were Clark’s. Riley said Clark had not been reported missing prior to the discovery. 

Clark’s updated obituary appears on page 8 of this week’s Times. He was buried Saturday at Mount Zion Cemetery in Winona. 

“He was loved and known by many, and he had a smile that lit up the room,” the obituary says. “He will be dearly missed.”