A long-missing Barksdale Air Force Base sergeant's car -- found in the Red River in Bossier City 10 days ago -- contained human remains, the Air Force said today.
The car belongs to Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Timmons, who went missing in 1997.
The Air Force said the identity of the remains has not been confirmed. Timmons will remain listed as AWOL until the remains are identified, the Air Force said.
Timmons' father, Donald, said from his home in Florida today that the military hasn't told him when an identification will be made or if foul play is now suspected.
The elder Timmons said he is offended the Air Force declared his son AWOL so quickly after his disappearance.
"AWOL is a terrible statement on Jeff and the family, and he's been called a deserter," Timmons said. "He didn't go AWOL. It was either foul play or accidental."
Jeffrey Timmons was the father of two children. Donald Timmons said the Air Force cut off military benefits to them after his son disappeared.
A Bossier City Fire Department search and rescue team was conducting a training exercise in the river when their sonar alerted on the car. Police checked the Indiana license plate and found the car was registered to Timmons, who would be 38 years old.
Police said their initial search of the car found no evidence of human remains. They turned the car over to the Air Force, which did forensic work inside the car.
Donald Timmons said he was told that sufficient remains were found in the car to make an identification.
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