Authorities Search For Remains Of Man Missing 12 Years Ago In McClain Co.

Multiple agencies are searching for the remains of a bounty hunter reported missing 12 years ago in McClain County, Wednesday morning.

According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, OSBI agents, McClain County Sheriff's deputies, a forensic anthropologist with the Medical Examiner's office, and the head of OU's Crime Scene Archeology Recovery Group are combing an area near Blanchard, Oklahoma, searching for the remains of 37-year-old Troy Neidhart.

In September 2002, the Oklahoma City Police Department received a report that Neidhart was missing. Neidhart was a local bounty hunter. As detectives worked the case, they gathered information that Neidhart may have been murdered.

On March 15, 2004, skeletal remains were found in McClain County. The sheriff's office requested OSBI investigative assistance. During the scene investigation, less than half the remains were located.

However, the medical examiner's office did determine the person died of gunshot wounds to the back and head. In 2006, the medical examiner's office identified the remains found in McClain County to be Neidhart's. 

For the next several years, agents ran numerous leads. Ultimately, the case became cold, according to the OSBI.

A newly hired OSBI agent from the McClain County area was recently assigned the case. On Wednesday, agents said they hope to jump start the cold case by gathering more skeletal remains and evidence of the murder. Investigators will search the area for the next several days.

A news conference explaining what investigators are doing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the dig site near Blanchard. Those speaking during the conference will include OSBI Director Stan Florence, McClain Co. Sheriff Don Hewett, and members of Neidhart's family.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed Troy Neidhart more than a dozen years ago.

If anyone has information about what happened to Troy Neidhart, please call the OSBI hotline at 1-800-522-8017.

News 9 Reporter Lisa Monahan will be at the news conference. Stay with News 9 and News9.com for the latest updates.