Authorites in Effingham County have identified human remains found in a field near Funkhouser as those belonging to a missing rural Effingham man.

According to a Wednesday morning autopsy, the remains belong to 52-year-old Erik Douglas Nelson. A local farmer called 911 after he discovered personal effects and Nelson’s remains while harvesting soybeans in a field around 1:17 p.m. Tuesday.

The field was west of Funkhouser Road, approximately three-quarters of a mile south of US Route 40.

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Department responded, along with the Effingham County Coroner’s Office. The Illinois State Police Division of Crime Scene Services was contacted to assist in the investigation.

Using dental records on file, investigators and the forensic pathologist were able to determine the identity of the remains as those of Nelson.

Nelson’s family had reported him as missing July 25. The sheriff’s department conducted an investigation into Nelson’s disappearance, but all leads were exhausted.

The sheriff’s department reports that the cause and manner of Nelson’s death have yet to be determined. The case remains under investigation, but authorities conducting the investigation do not suspect foul play.