Authorities have identified human remains found in Bow as those of a 31-year-old Manchester man, but investigators have not determined how he died, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and New Hampshire State Police.
The remains were identified as Justin Travis of Manchester. They were discovered in a wooded area near South Bow Road after a hunter called 911 to report what appeared to be human remains, officials said.
The discovery brought state investigators to Bow, a community south of Concord, though authorities have released few details about the circumstances surrounding Travis’ death. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is continuing to examine the case, and officials said both the cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
What investigators have confirmed
The public announcement establishes Travis’ identity and the general location where he was found. It does not establish when he died, how long the remains had been in the area or whether investigators have determined how he came to be there.
| Known detail | Information released |
|---|---|
| Victim | Justin Travis, 31, of Manchester |
| Discovery location | Wooded area near South Bow Road in Bow |
| Reported by | A hunter who called 911 |
| Death investigation | Cause and manner remain undetermined |
Those unanswered questions are central to the investigation. A cause of death addresses the medical reason a person died, while the manner of death concerns the circumstances surrounding the death. In Travis’ case, state officials have not released either finding.
Hunter’s 911 call led to response
The initial report came from a hunter who encountered the remains and contacted emergency dispatchers. The source material does not identify the hunter or say when the call was placed beyond indicating that it prompted the response to the area near South Bow Road.
Authorities also have not released details about the condition of the remains, whether other evidence was located or whether anyone has been arrested or publicly identified as a suspect. No conclusion about the circumstances of Travis’ death should be drawn from the discovery alone while the medical examiner’s review and the broader investigation continue.
The case is being handled by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and State Police, with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responsible for determining the medical findings. The agencies have not announced a timeline for completing that work.
Investigators ask public for information
Investigators are asking anyone with information related to Travis or the discovery to contact the state’s Major Crime Unit. Officials provided two ways to reach the unit:
- Phone: (603) 628-8477
- Email: mcu@dos.nh.gov
The request is directed at people who may have information relevant to the investigation. Authorities did not specify what particular information they are seeking, and no additional public tip line was listed in the announcement.
For Bow residents, the known location is a wooded area near South Bow Road. Officials have not said whether the area remains restricted or whether any road closures or other public-safety measures are in effect. The announcement also does not indicate that there is an ongoing threat to the public.
Investigation remains active
The identification gives Travis’ family and the public a confirmed name, but it leaves the most important questions unresolved. State authorities have not released a cause of death, a manner of death or additional circumstances surrounding the discovery.
The case remains active, and officials described the report as developing. Further information is expected as investigators receive tips and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner continues its work. Until those findings are released, the available facts are limited to the identification, the discovery near South Bow Road and the circumstances of the hunter’s 911 call.
