Dwayne Baker drove down Eulalia Lane in Catawba on Wednesday, but he didn't stop to walk back in the wooded area where officials think they found the remains of his son, Travis, who's been missing for more than two years.
"I didn't want to go back there. I was just curious as to where the remains were found," Baker said.
The scene where officials found skeletal remains was quiet Wednesday afternoon, the only signs of the search were a large hole, poles of lumber used to cover the grave and two large spotlights, showing officials had worked into the night during the three-day search of the field off Eulalia Lane. Officials hesitate to connect a name to the remains, but a search warrant issued by the Catawba County Sheriff's Office says officials think the remains are those of Travis Baker, a 19-year-old who went missing more than two years ago.
Lt. Joel Fish, of the sheriff's office, is remaining tight-lipped about the investigation, saying he fears suspects might flee if word gets to the wrong ears.
"The skeletal remains were sent to Chapel Hill for identification," Fish said. "They were sent down this morning (Wednesday)."
Officials had hoped to have the remains identified by late Wednesday, but that didn't happen. Around 5 p.m., Fish said no more information concerning the case would be released until a 2 p.m. press conference today.
Dwayne Baker, his wife, Patricia, family and friends have made a strong effort to keep their son's disappearance on April 16, 2007, in the public's eye. So strong was their effort, they eventually assisted with about 15 searches for missing people, one in which the person was found. Three community leaders, who wished to remain anonymous, added $3,000 to the $2,000 reward for information leading to Travis Baker's location in December.
Baker said he spoke with his son the last time at 9:30 a.m. the day he went missing. But when Travis didn't show up for work at MDI, his co-workers began worrying. A report was made and then, nothing.
"It was just like he and his car both just disappeared off the face of the earth," Baker said.
Then, Wednesday morning, Baker received a phone call at work — remains had been found in Catawba.
The search warrant, issued and executed Monday, resulted in officers finding "textiles," more than likely clothing, and vehicle parts, in addition to the human remains.
According to the search warrant, witness reports say the younger Baker was last seen at the residence of a John Mitchell. According to the search warrant, Baker was delivering narcotics to Mitchell.
Baker said he has heard the theories concerning his son's involvement in drugs, but he doesn't believe them.
"If he did do that, it was something he got into just one or two weeks before he went missing," Baker said, adding his son was required to take regular drug tests for his job at MDI. "And that shouldn't have any bearing on the fact he's a missing human being."
An anonymous source told investigators Mitchell had confessed to Travis Baker's murder and told them where he buried the body, according to the search warrant. Officers used a cadaver dog to help locate the remains.
Meanwhile, Baker continues to wait, as he has for more than two years.
"There's not that many people missing in Catawba County, and even less whose description fits Travis," he said. "If it is Travis, then we know; if it ain't, it's just another day we have to spend waiting."
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