MANSFIELD, Ohio – Mansfield police reported Sunday night the remains of a body, believed to be that of the missing Patsy Hudson, have been discovered.
Police reported the findings Sunday night after a search at three different sites in Richland County Saturday night and Sunday.
“The Mansfield Division of Police Major Crimes Unit has been actively investigating the disappearance of local resident, Patsy Hudson who was reported missing by her family on Dec. 22, 2015. During the course of the investigation and over the last few days, several leads were developed which led investigators to multiple crimes scenes in northern Richland County,” police said in a press release issued at 6 p.m. “With the assistance of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and other local and state agencies, human remains believed to be that of Patsy Hudson, were recovered at the multiple sites.
“A positive identification of the remains is still pending by the Richland County Coroner’s Office.”
Local law enforcement worked in concert over the weekend to search for Hudson, who was last seen July 4.
“Our thoughts are with Ms. Hudson’s family during this difficult time and as we await the Coroner’s report,” police said. “The Mansfield Division of Police will hold a Press Conference in the coming days in reference to this case which is ongoing.”
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department partnered with the Mansfield Police Department in the northeastern part of the county to comb the area searching for Hudson. Other authorities present included the Richland County Coroner, Richland County Emergency Management Homeland Security, the Mansfield Police Command Unit and forensic anthropologists.
Searchers checked locations near Franklin Church Road and Ohio 545, as well as Snake Road close to the Richland County Coon Hunters Club and near Ganges Five Points Road.
In a Mansfield police press release issued Jan. 12, Hudson was described as a white female, standing 5 feet 6 inches and weighing approximately 150 pounds. According to published information, a police report was filed July 4 at Hudson’s home, 284 Spring St. regarding a dispute involving Hudson and her neighbor at 290 Spring St.
Sunday’s findings come after the arrest of a Mansfield couple on Feb. 4 in connection with Hudson’s disappearance. Walter Renz and Linda Buckner Bleher were arrested by authorities in Lewis County, Tennessee at a roadside campground, according to Mansfield police.
Renz and Buckner Bleher were charged with receiving stolen property and violating probation in Kentucky, respectively, by the U.S. Marshals Task Force. According to Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz, the stolen property was Hudson’s credit card.
A national manhunt was initiated on Feb. 1 after the couple was sought for questioning relating to Hudson’s disappearance. The three were neighbors when Hudson was last seen.
At that time, Coontz said police were unsure of Renz and Buckner Bleher’s role in Hudson’s disappearance. Although the couple was arrested without incident, Coontz said it appeared they were on the run.
“They also were found with a stolen vehicle near the campsite,” Coontz said on Feb. 4. “We believe they stole it somewhere along their travels.”
Anyone with details involving the case should call Mansfield Division of Police Dispatch at 419-522-1234 or Lt. Rob Skropits of the Major Crimes Unit at 419-755-9724.
