Charge withdrawn over human bones find

A charge against a man of failing to report a death has been withdrawn over the discovery the skeletal remains of his cousin in his South Australian house.

Christopher Travis Scott, 25, was charged last October after the bones were found in a plastic tub at the Terowie home, north of Adelaide, when police went to the property on a routine firearms search.

Police said at the time they believed the person had been murdered.

They also said the bones had at some time been buried.

The remains were identified as those of Mr Scott's cousin, Martin Craig Meffert, who disappeared in 2005.

In Port Pirie magistrates court on Tuesday, prosecutors withdrew the charge against Mr Scott.

A police spokesman said the charge was withdrawn because under SA law, there is a two-year limitation period for charging a person with the offence.