Human remains found at former Sparta water plant

Human remains have been found at the old water treatment plant on Highway 84 in Sparta, where a heavy police presence was seen Monday evening, October 26. The identity of the person has not been confirmed by local law enforcement.

UPDATE: Statement from White County Medical Examiner below.

"The White County Medical Examiners office worked in conjunction with Sparta Police Department, Sparta White County Resuce Squad, and the Sparta Fire Department to remove the remains of a female from the old water treatment plant," Mike Kerr, White County Medical Exmainer, said in a released statement. "The decendent was sent to the MIddle Tennessee Regional Forensic Cetner for positive identification and autopsy."

The location is in the same area where Nikkie Roberts Simmons, who was last seen October 6, was thought to have been heading when she disappeared. No connection between her disappearance and the discovery has been confirmed by authorities at this time.

No information has been released about the circumstances of the death or whether foul play is suspected. Main Street Journal–Sparta will update this story as more information becomes available.