MONTEREY — The discovery of human remains Friday has turned the month-long search for a missing Monterey man into a search for his killer, investigators said Monday.

Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy David Hedrick said a strong probability exists the remains are those of Duell Moreland, who was last seen March 29.

Hedrick said investigators are still awaiting forensic identification.

“As of today, we have four investigators from the Louisiana State Police on site to assist with interviews and interrogations of persons of interest,” he said. “Over the past few days, we have obtained four warrants for property searches in relation to the homicide.”

Moreland’s mother said the change from a search for her missing son to a search for her son’s killer or killers causes mixed emotions.

“It’s like I have closure, but I don’t because I don’t have my son,” Kim Murrell said. “I can’t say goodbye to my son — I don’t even have a body where I can see him one last time.”

A body believed to be Moreland’s was found Friday by his grandfather, Rufus “Buddy” Tiffee, and father, Stephen Moreland, in a bayou near Peale Cross Road, south of Monterey. Moreland, 26, who lived with his grandparents in Monterey, had been missing since March 29.

Moreland’s mother and stepfather Steve Murrell, said they hope the sheriff’s office comes up with enough evidence to make an arrest.

“This has our whole community on edge,” he said. “People know a body has been found and there are four to five people out there possibly connected to it. It has people, and us, scared.”

A relative of Moreland’s, Hart L. Tiffee, 34, was arrested Saturday evening following a search of his 679 Louisiana 906 residence when investigators allegedly found a sawed-off shotgun.

Hedrick refused to comment on whether Hart Tiffee was a suspect in Duell Moreland’s death.

Hedrick said the sheriff’s office would not leave any stone unturned in finding his killer.

“We won’t know if there is one person involved or more than one until all evidence and statements are gathered,” he said. “A thorough and proper investigation has to take place before any kind of conclusion can be made.”

Moreland was a kind-hearted person, his mother said.

“He had such a great personality and would have literally given you the shirt off his back,” she said. “He didn’t care about money. He didn’t care about anything like that.”

Steve Murrell added, “Duell never knew a stranger — everyone liked his personality. He was always in a jolly mood and he is going to really be missed.”

When what is believed to be Moreland’s body was found, several members of the family were critical the sheriff’s department didn’t act with enough urgency to find the body.

The body was found in an area where Moreland was known to spend time, but the remains were mostly skeletal.

Rufus Tiffee said he knew it was Moreland because he was wearing a pair of rubber boots that he had loaned to his missing grandson. Additionally, Tiffee said he could see a metal implant on his ankle, which Moreland had to get after suffering a horse-riding injury.

Rufus Tiffee also previously said the body appeared to be burned.

Moreland’s stepfather, Steve Murrell, said the sheriff did not offer a CPSO boat to investigate the bayou, rather Rufus Tiffee had to borrow a boat from a friend to search for and find the body.

“That’s something no relative should have to do,” Murrell said.

Hedrick said two CPSO boats were dispatched, but they were called back when the body was discovered.

“The family was unaware of the actions the sheriff’s office made to have boats headed that way,” he said. “It is totally understandable they would be mad. They are upset and thought there was no one coming.”

Hedrick said he wanted to assure the victim’s family and community of Concordia Parish that the office has had control of the investigation since the original missing person report earlier in April.

The chief deputy said the CPSO gave this case the proper attention.

“There is no official policy in our department on waiting a set number of days to begsin an investigation of a reported missing person,” he said. “We began our investigation on April 1 when it was first reported by family members that Mr. Moreland was missing.”

A deputy was dispatched on April 1 when the initial message was received. On April 3, investigators were assigned to pursue a full investigation of a missing person.

Helicopter searches, patrols on foot and horseback, as well as all-terrain vehicles, were conducted in Monterey on April 25 and 26 and in the Acme area on April 28.

Hedrick said the FBI was consulted several times during the investigation.

With the discovery of human remains on April 29, the CPSO began a homicide investigation with assistance from the Louisiana State Police and the FACES Lab in Baton Rouge.

Hedrick said the location of the body and evidence gathered during the investigation has led to it being ruled a homicide. Hedrick said he would not comment on specifics.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call investigators Phillip Webber or Phillip Smith at 318-336-9148.

“Sheriff (Kenneth) Hedrick and I understand that the family is upset. I can only imagine how they feel with having a loved one so young pass away this soon,” Hedrick said. “I ask that everyone remember this family in their prayers.”