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Human remains found in area where Midland man went missing in 2017 (5 photos)

Paul Yelland, 68, was last seen near Watabeag Lake, an area between Kirkland Lake and Timmins

Human remains and an abandoned ATV have been found in the area where a Midland man went missing nearly four years ago.

Paul Yelland, who was 68 when he went missing, was last seen near Watabeag Lake on Oct. 23, 2017, an area between Kirkland Lake and Timmins.

Earlier this week, Kirkland Lake OPP said they responded to a call for service in a remote area in Holmes Township, northeast of Matachewan.

Officers attended the wooded area and after further investigation located human remains, a release said. The identification of the remains are undetermined at this time.

According to a release, the OPP North East Region crime unit continues to investigate with the assistance of the chief coroner’s office and a forensic anthropologist. Also assisting are the provincial force’s forensic identification services, emergency response unit and the canine unit.

“Further information will be released as it becomes available,” the release noted.

Kirkland Lake OPP officers didn’t respond to MidlandToday’s requests for comment by press time.

Prior to police being called to the scene, however, a group of young ATV enthusiasts found a four-wheeler similar to the one Yelland had been driving while hunting in the area 3 ½ years ago.

Yelland was last seen wearing pyjamas, ankle-high rubber boots, a light shirt with a fluorescent orange vest and an orange helmet.

Police believe it's possible he was using a red 2006 Honda TRX four-wheeler with the Ontario licence plate RT758.

Last June, the OPP's Underwater Search and Recovery Unit did a search on Beaver Lake, which is the area where Yelland was last seen.

At the time, Kirkland Lake OPP Const. Adam Gauthier said Yelland's group was camping there while hunting. He said there were negative results with the search.


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Andrew Philips

About the Author: Andrew Philips

Editor Andrew Philips is a multiple award-winning journalist whose writing has appeared in some of the country’s most respected news outlets. Originally from Midland, Philips returned to the area from Québec City a decade ago.
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