Police say human remains found near Nancy Guthrie’s home are not connected to the investigation into her disappearance. The sheriff’s department also states that the remains are not related to the case, after public reports raised questions about details of the announcement.

According to police, the remains appear to have been at the location for an extended period of time. The information is released several months after Guthrie is reported missing, and outlets report that officials provide limited specifics about how or when the remains were first identified. One report notes the sheriff’s department does not comment publicly on certain procedural questions, including who found the remains and why the earlier messaging indicated they were unrelated.