Remains may be those of missing pastor

GREAT VALLEY, N.Y. (WIVB) - In Cattaraugus County, a hiker has found what police believe are human remains.

Wednesday, investigators are expected to be back at the scene in Allegany State Park where the human remains were found. Police aren't making any assumptions yet, but we do know the gruesome discovery was made in the same general area where a hiker disappeared a year and a half ago.

The discovery of what police are calling human remains was made Tuesday on a trail by a hiker in Allegany State Park. Parks police say that the remains were found in the same area that 92-year-old retired Pastor Thomas Hamilton went missing, while on a hike with his daughter in 2010. A massive week-long search in 2010, of 5,000 acres, turned up nothing. Hamilton has been presumed dead ever since.

A memorial service was held for Hamilton back in 2010, at the church he was once the head of.

In November 2010, Doug Morton attended the service and said, “He was always a healthy man, always out there enjoying nature. And he carried those habits right through to the end of his life.”

Parks police have not confirmed that these are the remains of Pastor Hamilton, however they were found in the general area where Hamilton’s daughter said they got lost.

New York State Police and the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation are looking into the discovery. The remains were sent the the Cattaraugus County corner and we will keep making calls until we get more answers.