Wild animals dragged human remains linked to missing British hiker Esther Dingley from an unknown place in the Pyrenees to the busy walking path where they were discovered, investigators claimed today.
The grim theory was suggested by French police, investigating the disappearance of the 37-year-old Oxford graduate who was last seen in late November.
There was a major breakthrough on Friday when a skull with long hair was found close to Port de la Glere, a mountain pass on France's border with Spain, just south of Bagneres-de-Luchon. The trail is known as Puerto de la Glera in Spanish.
Commander Jean-Marc Bordinaro, who has been involved in the search from day one, said: 'This is indeed the area that Esther Dingley was supposed to be in when she disappeared, but we need to be cautious while the identification process is underway.
'Everything suggests that these bones were recently moved by animals. They would not have been there a few days earlier,' he added.
Brown bears and wolves are among the creatures roaming freely in the mountain range, where birds of prey such as vultures are also a common sight.
The remains were being investigated on Monday by forensics experts, exploring a possible match to DNA provided by Ms Dingley's mother, 74-year-old Ria Byrant.
Ms Bryant has also confirmed that a scan of her daughter's teeth had been requested by the French, through the British consulate in Bordeaux.
Wild animals dragged human remains linked to missing British hiker Esther Dingley (pictured) from an unknown place in the Pyrenees to the busy walking path where they were discovered, investigators claimed today
Ms Dingley (pictured right with her boyfriend Daniel Colegate) went missing on November 22
There was a major breakthrough on Friday when a skull with long hair was found close to Port de la Glere, a mountain pass on France's border with Spain, just south of Bagneres-de-Luchon. The trail is known as Puerto de la Glera in Spanish
Commander Bordinaro confirmed that police on both sides of the border were carrying out urgent searches to see if they can trace where the skull and related bones may have been hidden.
Ms Dingley was carrying a distinctive yellow tent, and had a bright red-and-grey rucksack with her when she went missing, but no trace of either has been found.
Both are made of hardwearing material that would last for years out in the open, including in the rugged Pyrenees countryside.
Commander Bordinaro said his colleagues were contacted by Spanish police on Friday afternoon, after the remains were discovered at about 2pm.
He had previously admitted that it was 'very likely' that Durham-born Ms Dingley had been involved in a mountain accident, and had been unable to raise help.
The search for her was called off in February because of deteriorating weather, but it resumed in the Spring.
In her last know message, sent to her partner Dan Colegate on November 22, Ms Dingley wrote: 'Might dip into France. Hoping Refuge Venasque has a winter room. Keep you posted when can. Love you xxx'
An investigating French source on Saturday said there was no 'immediate proof as to the identity of the remains' and that 'a medico-legal procedure will be followed to establish the identity of Person X in the days ahead.'
Specialist forensics officers from the General Directorate of the National Gendarmerie (DGGN) will carry out the task, under the supervision of France's Interior Ministry and an examining magistrate.
Up to 3,000 unidentified bodies are found in France every year, including ones in vast rural areas such as the Pyrenees, said the source.
'Prosecutors order analysis in the case of suspicious death, and that is when the entire procedure starts,' said the source.
'Genetic and dental material is gathered before burial can be allowed. It is a potentially complex procedure.'
Two hikers raised the alarm around 2pm on Friday after discovering what he believed could be the remains of a body near the spot where missing hiker Esther Dingley went missing late last year
Specialist officers from Spain and France have carried out several searches of the area around the Puerto de la Glera hiking trail, where Ms Dingley was hiking before she went missing. Searches recently resumed after being called off due to bad weather
DNA analysis is considered the most accurate part of the identification process, but samples are not always available to pathologists if a body is badly decomposed, or reduced to bone, said the source.
Christophe Amunzateguy, the chief public prosecutor of Saint-Gaudens, has been informed about the discovery of the remains, and was liaising with police investigators this weekend.
Ms Dingley had been planning to cross back into Spain after spending a day hiking on the French side of the border before she went missing.
Her last known contact was a WhatsApp call with Mr Colegate from the summit of the Pic de Sauvegarde, where she took a selfie.
The two Oxford graduates had been travelling around Europe in a camper van for years after quitting their careers and Durham home.
Missing persons charity LBT Global, which has been supporting Mr Colegate and Ms Dingley's family, said that confirmation of whether the possible human remains were a match would take 'days or even weeks'.
Guilhem Garrigues,
