A mysterious naked “wolf man” holding a wooden spear has been photographed by hikers in the Harz mountains of central Germany. The photos show the man covered in dirt and hair as he plays with sand on the floor. The hikers, Gina Weiss, 31, and her friend Tobi, 38, were walking in the woods near Blankenburg in the state of Saxony-Anhalt on Tuesday evening when they spotted him. “When we reached the sand caves we saw the wolf man. He stood up high on one of the caves and held a long wooden stick like a lance in his arm,” Ms Weiss told Bild newspaper. The wolf man and the hikers locked eyes but no words passed between them in those ten minutes, the hikers said. “He wouldn’t take his eyes of us, said nothing. He looked dirty like a Stone Age man from a history book.” Reports of a wolf man are not uncommon in Blankenburg. Authorities said they have been receiving intel about such a figure roaming the forests for the past five years. Fire sites and branch shelters have even been found in the area, as Alexander Beck, the head of Blankenburg fire brigade, said: “Someone clearly knows how to live outside and adapt to the changing seasons.” Members of the fire brigade have also reported seeing a forest dweller wearing fur but said that he ran off, according to MDR, the regional public broadcaster. In March this year, hikers said they saw a “wolf man” running around the forest and also reported seeing a fire-bolt. Emergency services searched the area but only found old fire sites. A volunteer with the local fire service told The Telegraph that they had not noticed anything unusual in the forest. They described the story as “nonsense” and suggested the photos of the wolf man were “a prank”. Nonetheless, Germany’s dense forests and shrubbery have always inspired folklore, with the ninetheenth-century Brothers Grimm among the most notable fairytale collections to be rooted in the dark woods. Read More In-N-Out owner reveals where ‘animal style’ name comes from More hearings begin soon for Summit's proposed CO2 pipeline. Where does the project stand? Here’s the best time to plant fruits and vegetables

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Investigators and family members of a North Carolina woman had not expected to find her remains after she went missing more than a month ago. On Thursday, the police said they found the remains of Allisha Watts, 39, who was last seen on 16 July. Her boyfriend of one year, James Dunmore, was arrested on the same day on suspicion of Watts’ murder, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Watts’ remains were found in a wooded area of a cemetery near the towns of Candor and Norman, sheriff Pete Herron said. “This is not the outcome that we had been hoping for, but by finding Allisha today... I hope and I pray it brings some closure to family and friends moving forward,” Mr Herron said at a news conference. Watts, who worked in the mental health field, was last seen in Charlotte, North Carolina on 16 July and her Mercedes was found in Anson County, southeast of Charlotte two days later. Mr Dunmore was found unresponsive inside the car, the county sheriff’s office said, according to CNN. It is not yet clear how her remains were found and how she died. Mr Dunmore, 51, who lives in Charlotte, was being held by police. The arrest warrant alleges he “unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did of malice aforethought kill and murder Allisha Watts”. He was arrested in the Charlotte area where Watts was visiting a residence on the day she went missing, police had said. Watts’ sister, Stephanie Johnson, told ABC News that her sister was with Mr Dunmore when she went missing. The two met when Watts drove to Charlotte to visit her cousin, Ms Johnson said. Talking about her sister, she said Watts was a “hard-working, independent, reliable, resourceful, loving, kind, attentive person”. The police said the case “is no longer considered a missing person investigation”. “This is not what we prayed for,” Watts’ friend, Dorothy Brower, told reporters after her body was recovered. “She was found, but it was not how we wanted to find her. She doesn’t deserve what her fate became. Just to dispose of someone who is just one of the best persons you could meet,” she said. Mr Dunmore is being held in the Montgomery County jail without bond . He is expected to appear in court on Monday. “This is an ongoing and active case and investigation, and there’s still much work to be done,” Mr Herron said. Read More Drink-driver who killed charity cyclist and hid body to be sentenced BTK serial killer is in the news again. Here's why and some background about his case Trump arrest live updates: Trump tweets historic mugshot after booking at Fulton County Jail

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