A Keokuk County man has been arrested and charged after human remains were found on his property.

Last Thursday, investigators with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Ottumwa Police Department, and Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at 21891 Highway 78 near Ollie. The warrant was part of an effort to locate 40-year-old Craig Smith, who was reported missing on January 20.

While conducting the search, investigators found the remains of an adult. Although the condition of the remains prevented law enforcement from making a positive identification, evidence and statements collected during the investigation led them to tentatively identify the remains as those of Craig Smith. The State Anthropologist, Office of the State Medical Examiner, and DCI Crime Lab are working to make a positive identification.

On the afternoon of Friday, February 2, 44-year-old Jeffrey Gautreaux was arrested without incident and charged with murder in the first degree and abuse of a corpse. He was taken to the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office. Steven Grant, Gautreaux’s 63-year-old stepfather who lived with him at the residence, was arrested the day before, but released.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the DCI at 515-725-6010.