Help ID ring found on remains along I-90 in southern Minnesota

The Freeborn County sheriff and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating the discovery of human remains off the shoulder of Interstate 90 near Albert Lea, Minn., and are asking the public to help identify a ring found with the remains.

The first phase of autopsy has been completed but an official cause of death has yet to be released, and officials are attempting to identify the man. A property owner called 911 just after 6 p.m. Monday, and deputies found the remains near a fence along I-90, near Highway 13.

A ring was found with the remains. The ring is 10-karat gold, shaped like a class ring and has a large red stone. A pair of shoes was also found with the remains, but Sheriff Kurt Freitag said the shoes were so worn, a photo would not be useful. The shoes were made by the Mario De Gerard shoe company.

In a news release, Sheriff Freitag said the remains appear to be those of a man and "appear to have been there for a number of years."

The remains were found close to a gas station and near the highway.

"What makes this case suspicious is that the remains were found so close to the gas station. Why wouldn't he be able to walk to the gas station? Why wouldn't he be able to flag down a motorist? Why would he be located right to a fence?" Freitag asked.

There are no known missing persons cases in Freeborn County that can be connected with this investigation at this time.

If you have any information, contact the Freeborn County Sheriff's Office at (507) 377-5200.