UPDATE: Utility workers find remains along Highway 64 near Whiteville

FAYETTE COUNTY, Tenn. — Human remains found on the side of a busy highway has investigators searching for answers.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department said the remains were found around 1:30 p.m. Thursday near the side of Highway 64 by a utility crew working in the area.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s department said the remains are believed to have been there for some time.

Along with the sheriff’s department, Tennessee Highway Patrol and even the FBI were on scene, searching the wooded area for clues.

Crews placed a blue tarp and several yellow and red flags across the area.

A forensic team was brought in to examine the remains in hopes of finding answers and identifying the person.

Traffic along the highway remained open but moved at a crawl as drivers looked at the scene.

One driver who did not want to go on camera said he saw the crews working all week in the area and is not surprised they came across the discovery.

Officials have not identified the person whose body was found.