Body found near Waco was decapitated

Dennehy Developments July 31: Attorney questions paper's interview 31: De La Rosa doubts Dotson's claim 30: Dotson suggests self-defense 30: Autopsy: Dennehy died of gunshot 29: Funeral set for mid-August 28: Baylor grieving over Dennehy's death From SI: Scorecard: Arresting developments

Above: Dennehy/AP

WACO, Texas (CNN) -- Authorities searching for missing Baylor University basketball player Patrick Dennehy have recovered a human head in the same area where they found a body last Friday, a source familiar with the forensics investigation told CNN Sunday.

The body, which was found about five miles outside of Waco, was in an advanced state of decomposition and was not intact, said Capt. Paul Wash, a spokesman for the McLennan County Sheriff's Office.

The body has since been taken to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas for an autopsy and identification.

Because of the body's condition, DNA testing was required to make an identification, authorities said. Wash said results were not expected Sunday and would be "iffy" for Monday, though it is possible they could be returned Tuesday.

Dennehy has not been seen since June 12 and is presumed dead. His former teammate, Carlton Dotson, was arrested last Monday and charged with his murder. He is being held without bond in Maryland, where he is fighting extradition to Texas.

A source close to the investigation told CNN that information about the body's location was obtained during an interview with Dotson.

On Sunday, an investigator moved around the site placing small yellow flags at the spots of possible pieces of evidence. Baylor police were also at the scene.

Dennehy's family reported him missing June 19, about a week after he was last seen on the Baylor campus in Waco. His vehicle was found abandoned in Virginia Beach, Va., on June 25.

McLennan County Sheriff Larry Lynch said the body was taken to a forensic lab for an autopsy and positive identification. Authorities said the body was too decomposed to immediately determine if it was Dennehy.

Dennehy's family decided not to return to Waco from Carson City, Nev., if the body is determined to be Dennehy's, said Jessica De La Rosa, Dennehy's girlfriend.

"If that body is his -- which we understand it probably is -- it's not his anymore," De La Rosa said Sunday. "Technically, there's nothing we can do out there."

Dotson was arrested Monday after he called 911, saying he needed help because he was hearing voices, Maryland police said. Waco police said Dotson told FBI agents in Maryland that he shot Dennehy after the player tried to shoot him. But after his arrest, Dotson told The Associated Press that he "didn't confess to anything."

 

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.