Human remains found in backyard of home connected to suspected cold case killer

Human remains have been discovered in the backyard of a home in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, connected to the suspected killer of Saxonburg's police chief in 1980.

The case has haunted the town of Saxonburg for 37 years.

Channel 11 broke the news when the Federal Bureau of Investigation discovered a secret room in the house owned by family members of Donald Webb.

Officials were looking for Webb's body.

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Last month, the FBI raided the Massachusetts home belonging to Webb's wife and found other items that led them to believe something may be buried in the backyard that is central to the case.

Webb has been on the run for decades.

If he's still alive, he is now be 84 years old.

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Crews were in and out of the backyard for hours Thursday, digging for clues. Investigators don't know how long the remains have been there or who they belong to.

They aren't saying if they know where Webb and his wife are.

Current Saxonburg Police Chief Joe Beachem drove 11 hours to be there Thursday.

"We're hopeful with the investigation," Beachem said. "It means a lot the town the size of Saxonburg, any town, it leaves a hole and it's the biggest question our town has had."

This is the longest-running cold case involving any police officer in the country.

The FBI is in the process of determining if the remains belong to Webb, as well as the cause of death.

Cox Media Group