THOMASVILLE — A man looking at property he was interested in buying discovered skeletal remains off Ga. 188 Saturday afternoon.

The potential buyer found a skull, said Capt. Tim Watkins, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office chief investigator.

The skeleton was removed Sunday by crime scene technicians from the sheriff’s office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation and by Thomas County Coroner Don Shiver.

The remains have been transported to the state medical examiner’s office in Atlanta for identification.

“No clothing was found,” Watkins said. “That’s because we think the skeleton has been there for more than a year.”

Watkins said that based on the condition of the skeleton, remains are not thought to be those of Marlena Hurst, a Thomas County woman missing since December.

“There was nothing left,” Watkins said, adding that the gender of the person is not known.

Surrounding law enforcement agencies will be contacted about missing persons in an attempt to determine the identity of the skeletal remains.

Rain began soon after remains were discovered about 4 p.m. and continued throughout Saturday night. The scene was secured.

Watkins said deputies were posted at the scene throughout the night, with remains removed Sunday.