A positive identification on the human remains found Sunday, March 21, was announced around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24, by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department. The remains are of Edward A. Schermerhorn, 51, of Oak Grove Motel in Burnt Hills. The investigation revealed he was last seen in August of 2008 while residing at the motel and an autopsy showed he committed suicide with a gunshot to the head.
Remains were found by a couple walking around 6:45 p.m. Sunday in a secluded, wooded area off a Ballston bike path. A gun was found at the scene.
The body underwent an autopsy at Albany Medical Center by Dr. Michael Sikirica and the individual’s age and gender were eventually revealed through dental records. Deputies initially said it appeared the remains had been in the area for more at least a year and were in a skeletal state.
Investigators spent much of Monday on the scene, which is an area close to an Amtrak train line and east of Route 50 between Outlet and Connolly roads.
Town of Ballston Supervisor Patti Southworth said she was kept apprised of any new information, touching base with the sheriff’s department throughout the investigation. She said once the investigation wraps up she expects the bike trail will reopened and depending on the results, the town board may decide whether or not to discuss any aspects of increased safety measures in that area.
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