The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has uncovered more human remains and clothing buried in the backyard of a man missing for a few years.

Michael Shaver has not been seen since 2015, according to friends. Deputies started an investigation into his disappearance after a friend requested a welfare check several weeks ago.

Deputies spent Friday and Saturday searching outside, and then inside, the home Shaver shared with his family in Clermont.

Lt. John Herrell with LCSO said crews initially found a bone, believed to be a human arm, on Friday night. By Saturday, they had uncovered what they believe to be additional human remains, as well as clothing.

The remains and clothing were found buried beneath a fire pit in the backyard.

“It looked like it had been poured hurriedly and a very sloppy job all the way around, so it was very suspicious from the get go,” Herrell said.

The Lake County Medical Examiner is now in possession of the remains to conduct a forensic review and effort a positive identification using DNA, according to Herrell.  That process could take several weeks.

Herrell said it’s believed Shaver was last seen around August or September of 2015.

“I can tell you that the remains appear to have been there for the amount of time that is consistent with the time that Mr. Shaver is missing, but that’s not to jump to any conclusions,” Herrell said.

Around the time he seemed to vanish, Herrell said activity on Shaver’s bank and credit card accounts stopped.

Herrell said deputies did speak briefly with Shaver’s wife at the home when they followed up on the initial report. Laurie Shaver allowed deputies inside the home when she was questioned, but then reportedly asked deputies to leave when they became suspicious of a fire pit in the backyard.

Spectrum News 13 did reach out to Laurie Shaver’s attorney, and is awaiting a response.