Tammy Curtis, Managing Editor

DNA results obtained from a family member have led to the identification of remains located in a vacant home in  Cherokee Village on July 9.

The remains are those of 54-year-old Dana Deprow, the property owner’s daughter. 

According to Cherokee Village Police Chief Monte Lane, human remains were discovered in at the home at 8 Saginaw Circle. Cherokee Village Police Officer Richard Crowe arrived to do a requested welfare check after a neighbor noticed an overgrown yard and vehicle but had never seen anyone at the home. After knocking and not receiving an answer, he proceeded to the rear door. 

The door was ajar, so Crow entered the home. It was highly cluttered and appeared to have been unoccupied for an extended period. The report also indicated that animals had been going in and out of the home. 

Crowe located skeletal remains in the home, and no one else was there. The state of the body, being a skeleton, indicates that it had been in the home for an extended period of time. 

Crowe then called Supervisory Investigators to the scene. At that time, the Arkansas State Police was also contacted. Cherokee Village Police Lieutenant Anthony Wiles and Investigator John Hutchins arrived. 

Senior Special Agent Wendell Jines, Special Agent Creston Hutton, Sgt. Josh Heckel and Special Agent Jeremy Hughes of the Arkansas State Police were requested to assist with the investigation. 

The remains were transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab. No foul play is expected.