AR AR - Jessica Paige Kemp, 32, missing from near Lake Ashbaugh, 5 May 2025

[GraceG]

Would remains be skeletal after a month? No idea, but had thought it would need more time?

This time of year, absolutely. How long depends on temperature, humidity, and the presence of insects, (submergence in a substrate such as water. can also impact timing, but this doesn't sound like the case here). The most important, from my personal expeirence in the field, is temperature (the rate of chemical reactions in a cadaver doubles with each 10 degree Celsius rise though humidity or water from the environment buffers those reactions, slowing their effects.

Extreme acidity or alkalinity of the environment can also hasten how quickly enzymes degrade biological molecules If the body is out in the open, versus submerged or fully or partially buried under soil, the timeline is affected, anything blocking exposure to oxygen slowing decomp. So if the remains were out in the open as opposed to buried or submersed in water, with warm temperatures and the insect activity you will likely see this time of year in a non desert environment, a body could easily become skeletonized in a month, IMO.

We always went full hazmat suit on crash scenes where the crashed plane wasn't found for a few weeks unless there had been a serious fire/explosion) as we never knew what we'd find as far as decomp (and thus, biohazards).

 

[SluethinAway]

Would remains be skeletal after a month? No idea, but had thought it would need more time?

My thoughts as well.

 

[tlorik]

Average temps in AR this May have been 70-90 and there have been several severe thunderstorms with lots of rain. Depending on how exposed a body was, I can see where it could be skeletal in a month.

 

[SluethinAway]

Average temps in AR this May have been 70-90 and there have been several severe thunderstorms with lots of rain. Depending on how exposed a body was, I can see where it could be skeletal in a month.

I'm thinking if they think it could be her, she may have been in the water the entire time to reach the advanced state.
Also, some fish will eat anything..Not to sound morbid but true.

 

[tlorik]

Mr. Google says around 3 weeks in humid conditions - much less than that in water tho.

 

[haggis]

This time of year, absolutely. How long depends on temperature, humidity, and the presence of insects, (submergence in a substrate such as water. can also impact timing, but this doesn't sound like the case here). The most important, from my personal expeirence in the field, is temperature (the rate of chemical reactions in a cadaver doubles with each 10 degree Celsius rise though humidity or water from the environment buffers those reactions, slowing their effects.

Extreme acidity or alkalinity of the environment can also hasten how quickly enzymes degrade biological molecules If the body is out in the open, versus submerged or fully or partially buried under soil, the timeline is affected, anything blocking exposure to oxygen slowing decomp. So if the remains were out in the open as opposed to buried or submersed in water, with warm temperatures and the insect activity you will likely see this time of year in a non desert environment, a body could easily become skeletonized in a month, IMO.

We always went full hazmat suit on crash scenes where the crashed plane wasn't found for a few weeks unless there had been a serious fire/explosion) as we never knew what we'd find as far as decomp (and thus, biohazards).

Thanks for the interesting information. Appreciate it.