The human skull found in Manchester, Tennessee, on Nov. 20 has been positively identified as a man reported missing in 2016, according to police.
The remains found were those of Justin Zeigler, a resident of Franklin County, Tennessee, who had been last seen at the Dollar Tree in Manchester where worked on Nov. 20, 2016, three years to the day before his remains were found, according to police and an account in the Manchester Times published Thursday.
In a statement, Manchester police said the identity was confirmed using familial DNA. The medical examiner's office in Nashville performed the examination and notified authorities and family on Thursday.
Police made the discovery about 5 p.m. CST Nov. 20 while working on another case, Manchester authorities said. The location was near the Interstate 24 west on-ramp at Hillsboro Boulevard on the southwest side of the interchange where several acres of woodland stands between Skinner Flat Road and the interstate south of the former Pappy's Country Cookin' restaurant.
So far nothing but the skull has been found, so authorities plan to keep looking.
"The investigation will remain open and ongoing in an attempt to locate Zeigler's remains," police said in the statement. "The Manchester Police Department sends our sympathy to the families involved."
Anyone with any information about the case should contact the Manchester Police Department at 931-728-2099.