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Human remains in Artesia identified by police
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Authorities have identified the person whose remains were found near train tracks in Artesia in late September as a homeless man who was last seen three years ago.
The skeletal remains have been confirmed to be John Littleton, born in 1972, the Artesia Police Department said in a Facebook post Wednesday.
“The official autopsy report is still pending, and detectives are continuing to work on determining the cause and manner of death,” according to the department.
Littleton was last seen alive after being released from the Eddy County Detention Center on May 31, 2022.
Records show Littleton was deemed incompetent to stand trial for multiple cases in 2020 and 2021, according to a criminal complaint filed in Eddy County Magistrate Court. Court records listed him as homeless.
Officers were called to the 300 block of First Street on Sept. 30 after a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway engineer reported finding skeletal remains near the tracks.
Officers conducted an investigation and discovered additional bones under a dock near the Baker & Stephens Tire Co. building, a short distance away, police said.
The remains were taken to the University of New Mexico Laboratory of Human Osteology to be studied. A preliminary report found the remains were likely at the location for over a year, according to police.
Police said cadaver dogs were deployed to search for additional evidence.
“This investigation remains active and ongoing,” the department said on Facebook. Police asked anyone who may have information related to the case to call detectives at 575-746-5000.
