These articles were written over several months and published in the Bastrop Advertiser

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July 7, 2005 – Skeletal Remains Found

By Dana Lachman

Staff Writer

The skeletal remains of an unidentified person were found Monday in an open field off Pearson Rd. in the southwest part of Bastrop County. Sheriff's office officials believe foul play is involved, and the case is being investigated as a homicide.

According to Chief Deputy Sheriff Ronnie Duncan, residents who live on a neighboring property were working on a fence when they noticed a foul odor. They searched for the source of the odor and found human bones that had been picked on and scattered by animals, he said. "The indication is that the body has been there a short time," Duncan said. "It appears that the body was dumped." Flattened grass near the area lead investigators believe a vehicle was used, he said. Investigators also found three pieces of apparel which appear to be men's clothing.

The remains were taken to the Travis County Medical Examiner, and investigators were waiting for an autopsy report Tuesday. Duncan said the sheriff's office would begin looking for a possible match to the victim if the medical examiner can determine gender and approximate age, height and weight. If not, the remains will be sent to Dr. David Glassman, a forensic anthropology professor at Texas State University.

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September 1, 2005 – Murder Arrests

By Dana Lachman

Staff Writer

The skeletal remains found July 4 in the southwest part of Bastrop County have not yet been positively identified, but four arrest warrants have now been issued in connection with the case. Three of the warrants are for murder. Two men, James Aaron Reily, 27, and Harold Maurice Hunter Jr., 48, have already been arrested and are being held at the Bastrop County Jail. Reily, who faces three charges, is being held in lieu of $1,015,000 bail. Hunter's bail was set at $1 million.

A third man, James Andrew Bonee, 24, is finishing out a sentence at Del Valle on an unrelated charge, and a fourth man, William Mark Reily, 45, remains at large.

According to Bastrop County Investigators Dexter Yarbrough and Chris Dezarn, investigators received a tip from Travis County law enforcement that James Reily was involved in several burglaries in Bastrop County. After a warrant was issued for his arrest on a burglary charge, Austin Crime Stoppers contacted Yarbrough and Dezarn with information connecting James Reily to a Bastrop County murder.

"We actually set up surveillance on him trying to pick him up at a particular location," Dezarn said. The surveillance led to a "short pursuit that ended in Tahitian Village," he said. James Reily was jailed Aug. 24.

The subsequent investigation led Yarbrough and Dezarn to Hunter, who was arrested Friday at a residence in Stony Point, said the investigators. They were later able to track down Bonee at the Travis County jail in Del Valle, they said. All three men have been charged with murder. James Reily was also charged with burglary of a habitation and possession of a controlled substance. William Reily, who is James Reily's uncle, is wanted for conspiracy to commit murder. Anyone with information can contact the sheriff's office at 303-1080. The skeletal remains were found July 4 in an open field off Pearson Rd. by residents who live on a neighboring property. Based on evidence at the scene, investigators deemed the case a homicide.

The name of the victim has not yet been released, pending positive identification.

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September 3, 2005 - Fourth Murder Arrest

By Dana Lachman

Staff Writer

Bastrop County law enforcement has made a fourth arrest in connection with an ongoing murder investigation. Police have not yet released the victim's identity pending positive identification.

William Mark Reily, 45, who was arrested Wednesday, has been charged with criminal conspiracy to commit murder. He is being held at the Bastrop County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.

According to Bastrop County Sheriff Richard Hernandez, Reily was arrested in Austin by Travis County deputies and Bastrop County investigators. He was taken to the Bastrop County Jail where he admitted to participation in the murder, Hernandez said.

James Aaron Reily, 27, and Harold Maurice Hunter, 48, were jailed last week and charged with murder. James Reily's bail was set at $1,015,000. Reily was also charged with burglary of a habitation and possession of a controlled substance. Hunter's bail was set at $1 million.

James Andrew Bonee, 24, also faces a murder charge. As of Friday, he was serving out a sentence in in the Travis County Jail on an unrelated charge. On July 4 skeletal remains were found in an open field off Pearson Rd. in the southwestern part of Bastrop County. Based on evidence at the scene, the sheriff's office deemed the case a homicide.

According Hernandez, investigators set up surveillance on James Reily after learning from Travis County officials that he might have some involvement in a Bastrop County burglary. During this time, the sheriff's office also received information from Austin Crime stoppers connecting James Riley to a Bastrop County murder, Hernandez said.

James Reily was jailed Aug. 24.

The subsequent investigation led investigators to Hunter and Bonee. Hunter was arrested Aug. 26 at a residence in Stony Point, and Bonee was located at the Travis County Jail. Hernandez said Bonee will be turned over to Bastrop County officials when he finishes his current sentence.