Remains found in woods identified as missing Lake Charles woman

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Human remains found in the woods in Vinton earlier this summer have been identified as a woman who was missing for more than a year, authorities say.

Someone found the remains near Gum Gully off U.S. 90 on June 16, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kayla Vincent said. The LSU FACES Lab notified CPSO this evening that the remains had been identified as those of Tameika Watley .

Watley’s family reported her missing in June 2024, and they never stopped searching for answers in her disappearance. As of this June, detectives did not have evidence that foul play was involved.

More information will be released as it is made available.