Remains Found by Stream Identified as Man Who Vanished in 2018 After Taking Walk in the Woods

Remains of Missing Man Identified Nearly Seven Years After Disappearance Skip to content PEOPLE Search Please fill out this field. Magazine Subscribe Manage Your Subscription Give a Gift Subscription Get Help Newsletters Sweepstakes Subscribe Search Please fill out this field. 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A former PEOPLE intern from 2007 to 2008, he has been writing about news and entertainment for over 10 years. People Editorial Guidelines Published on March 25, 2025 03:51PM EDT Comments William Cross. Photo: GoFundMe Remains found near a Kentucky stream in 2023 have been identified by authorities as those of a Tennessee man who disappeared almost seven years ago after taking a late-night walk in the woods. In a Friday, March 21, announcement shared on Facebook, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the remains belonged to William “Will” Cross, who was reported missing on May 18, 2018. A missing persons bulletin shared by ABC affiliate WATE in 2020 noted Cross was 29 years old at the time of his disappearance. According to the McCreary Journal, Cross, who lived in Scott County, Tenn., was dropped off on Williamsburg Street in Whitley City, Ky., at the time. Around midnight, Cross spoke with a family member on the phone and told them that he was walking through the woods, the missing persons bulletin noted. Remains Found in ‘Remote’ Area of National Park Likely Belong to Hiker Who Vanished Over 1 Month Ago “The call disconnected, and Cross was not seen alive or heard from thereafter,” the bulletin said. The McCreary Journal reported that in October 2023, a teenager discovered human remains during a hike in a wooded area off of Sweeney Drive in Revelo, Ky. “At the time, McCreary County Sheriff David Sampson reported that the teenager found the remains near a stream hidden by a forest,” according to the McCreary Journal. Human Remains Found in Washington After Washing Ashore 16 Years Ago Identified as Teen Who Disappeared from Home The sheriff’s office said remains were ultimately located on Oct. 14, 2023. The following day, the paper reported officials returned to the area and found additional remains. According to the report, the remains were gathered and sent for examination, which took a lengthy process that involved “forensic, anthropological, and DNA experts from multiple states.” A forensic lab report from the Kentucky State Police said that a comparison of the DNA profiles of Cross’s remains and his mother established a 100% probability of a relationship. William Cross. Scott County Sheriff’s Office Body Found in Crashed Vehicle Near Air Force Base Believed to Be Missing 95-Year-Old Woman “Mr. Cross’ family has been notified and has requested privacy during this difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said in their statement. “We ask that the community keep the family, friends, and all those involved in your thoughts and prayers. (PEOPLE reached out to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, March 25, for additional information.) 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Ashley Cross, the victim’s sister, appealed to the public in a GoFundMe fundraiser for donations to have her brother’s remains “taken care of.” She also stated that the family does not have all his remains. “My heart and soul is crushed,” Ashley wrote in the fundraiser description. “No one should have to go out to find the rest of their loved one.” Close Leave a Comment You Might Like Car of Woman Missing Since 1983 Found Weeks After Story Is Featured in Cold Case Podcast Human Interest 3 hours ago 28-Year-Old Woman and Her Dog ‘Swept Away’ After Slipping into Washington River, Say Police Human Interest 9 hours ago New Details Released About 3 Family Members Missing After Driving in Snowstorm from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas Human Interest a day ago Comments All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. PEOPLE does not endorse the opinions and views shared by readers in our comment sections. 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