CELINA, Ohio (WLIO) - A body was discovered in Mercer County Tuesday morning.
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office says that around 11:30 AM, a body was discovered in a wooded area northeast of Celina. The area was being searched by police because the city owns land in that area, and after discovering personal belongings, a cadaver dog was brought in and found the body.
The sheriff's office says that the clothes and belongings found with the body are consistent with the missing persons report filed for Timothy Anderson, who had last been seen on August 4th. The Mercer County coroner has ordered an autopsy and the remains will be sent to Montgomery County.
The sheriff's office adds no further information will be released until the results of the autopsy come in and the case remains under investigation.
August 18, 2026, Press Release from the Mercer County Sheriff's Office:
Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman announced this morning (8-18-2026) at approx. 11:30 AM human remains were found in a wooded area northeast of the City of Celina.  The area was initially being searched by members of the Celina Police Department due to the city owning land in that area.  Celina Police Officers located personal effects, and they contacted the Sheriff’s Office. Mercer County Deputies and Detectives then joined the search and a cadaver dog from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was called to the scene. The suspected human remains were found by the cadaver dog.
The location of where the remains were found is south of the Hand Up Village, and north of the city limits. This area is heavily wooded and covered in heavy vegetation.   The remains and personal belongings are consistent with what Timothy Anderson was reported to having and wearing when he was reported missing on August 10, 2026. Mr. Anderson and his belongings were actually last seen on August 4,  2026.
The Mercer County Coroner’s Office was contacted and responded to the scene. The Coroner Doctor Alyssa Tobe has ordered an autopsy, and the remains will be transported to Montogomery County.
The Sheriff’s Office and Celina Police Department were assisted on scene by Mr. Les Bowen from Elite Drone Services.  Sheriff Timmerman wants to thank the citizens who called in several tips and leads. Those tips and leads were being followed up by Mercer County Deputies and Detectives.
No other information will be released at this time pending the results of the autopsy, and further investigation.Â
