Norfolk man’s remains discovered in Hanover after nine years

Bones discovered in June by a relic hunter in Hanover County are the remains of a 77-year-old Norfolk man missing since he drove to the area nine years ago to play in a seniors golf tournament, according to a published report today.

The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office confirmed yesterday that the partial remains are those of Howard “Britt” Fentress, the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot reported.

Fentress checked into a hotel the night before the tournament. His locked car was found 36 miles away in a wooded area not far from King’s Dominion, the newspaper reported. His credit cards remained unused and his bank account untouched.

Searches with dogs near the area where the remains were found failed to turn up anything, said Capt. Michael Trice, a sheriff’s department spokesman. The identity was confirmed using DNA from family members, the newspaper reported.

The cause of death remains undetermined. Fentress’ wife died in 2004.

“Basically, our prayers have been answered,“ said their daughter, Sherry Brown of Chesterfield. “For me, not knowing was the hardest. It does bring some closure, but hopefully someday we’ll find out what happened, because all we can do is speculate.“