http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/space/1761217 ...
Men report finding possible shuttle victim's remains
Associated Press
HEMPHILL -- Among the chunks of metal littered across eastern Texas following the space shuttle's explosion were some heartbreaking discoveries: an astronaut's charred patch, a helmet, some human remains.
The shuttle Columbia broke apart in flames 200,000 feet over Texas this morning, leaving a 500-mile swath of debris across several counties. All seven astronauts were killed just minutes before they were to glide to a landing in Florida.
Clark Barnett, 32, spotted an object while driving on Farm-to-Market Road 2971 this morning. He didn't give it much thought until he got a call from friend Mike Gibbs, an X-ray technician at Sabine County Hospital, who told him about the shuttle explosion.
Both men met on the two-lane road about 9 a.m. and realized with horror that they apparently were looking at an astronaut's remains: a charred torso, thigh bone and skull with front teeth intact.
"I wouldn't want anybody seeing what I saw," Gibbs, 33, told The Associated Press. "It was pretty gruesome."
Fire trucks arrived shortly and blocked the road as authorities collected evidence. A hearse was seen leaving the area today evening after officials loaded it with a black bag.
Billy Smith, the emergency management coordinator for Jasper, Sabine and Newton counties, confirmed that body parts were found near apparent shuttle debris in Sabine County.
The remains have been turned over to the FBI, officials said.
"We don't know where the remains are being taken," Sabine County Sheriff Tom Maddox said.
Residents across eastern Texas reported finding chunks of metal and other shuttle parts atop roofs, in yards and on parking lots. A compact car-size piece of debris fell into Toledo Bend lake, said Maddox. A charred astronaut's patch was found in San Augustine County.
A flight helmet landed on James Couch's property near state Highway 103 and F.M. 1751 in San Augustine County, The Lufkin Daily News reported. He kept guard on the helmet.
Authorities were searching a 500-mile swath but said the debris could be spread over a region three times larger.