RICHLAND COUNTY, Ohio (TCN) — Skeletal remains found in an abandoned home have been identified as a man who went missing in 2023.
On Dec. 7, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting the discovery of human remains in the detached garage of a long-abandoned house, WKYC reports.
According to the Mansfield News Journal, three college friends were exploring the house when they came across the remains. They initially thought it was animal bones, but they called the authorities when they found a human skull.
WKYC reports the body was transferred to a forensic anthropology team for identification. A forensic odontologist used dental records to confirm the identity of the deceased individual as Dustin Engler, 43.
Major James Sweat, chief deputy of the Richard County Sheriff’s Office, said Engler’s cause of death remains undetermined pending continued investigation, according to the Mansfield News Journal.
People reports Engler was last seen on Feb. 17, 2023.
