BELTON (November 24, 2009)—A report Tuesday from the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas says that Stephon Shane Sonnier of Belton, whose remains were found by hikers last month near Stillhouse Hollow Lake, committed suicide.

A father and son found the skeletal remains including a human skull on Oct. 21 in a remote area near the Stillhouse Hollow Dam.

Family members reported Sonnier missing in May.

Bell County Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke is waiting for the Sheriff’s Office to finish its investigation before he issues an official ruling in Sonnier’s death.