Kyle LeBlanc's family awaits identification of remains, but 'there is no good result'

More human remains were found Sunday in the same area where police have searched for missing Saint John man Kyle LeBlanc.

On Friday evening, a hiker called police after he discovered human remains in the heavily wooded area between Lakewood Heights and Golden Grove Road. 

On Sunday, Saint John police, River Valley and York Sunbury ground search and rescue teams expanded the search area and found more human remains, said police spokesperson Sean Rocca.

Rocca said it's not clear if the two sets of remains are related, but they were found within about 100 metres of each other.

They were also found in the area where police conducted extensive search operations for LeBlanc in March, April and May 2021.

The last credible sighting of LeBlanc was near Lakewood Heights at around 4:20 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2020, Rocca said.

His family has led a search effort, including offering a reward for any information that leads to finding him.

Rocca said the forensic identification unit was called Friday, and now a forensic odontologist is also working to get a dental identification.

Rocca said how long it will take to make an identification "depends on their examination and whether or not the [odontologist] is able to make a positive identification."

If the odontologist isn't able to identify the remains through dental records, the forensic unit will have to find another way, which could take more time, he said.

Rocca also said once the remains are identified, it will be up to the next of kin to decide whether police can share the person's name.

He said it's still not known if a crime is suspected.

LeBlanc was 30 years old when he disappeared. 

His stepmother, Erin Adams-LeBlanc, said Monday that investigators have been in touch with the family, but they have not confirmed the remains belong to her stepson.