The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has identified skeletal remains found in May in the woods off Goosley Road in York County.
The remains have been identified as Michael Andrew Ellis, 26, of West Point, according to York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Shelley Ward.
The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be suicide by hanging, although his exact date of death was not able to be determined, Ward said.
A passerby discovered the remains around 6:30 p.m. May 19 in the woods near Leigh and Goosley roads. Capt. Troy Lyons said portions of the remains were visible while others were covered by debris. Clothes were found nearby.
Lyons said May 20 the remains could have been in the woods for several years.
Ward confirmed the identification card found at the scene in May belonged to Ellis.
“DNA and evidence recovered at the scene, as well as follow up investigation, confirmed his identity,” Ward said.
Ward declined to say what other evidence was found at the scene.
Ward said Ellis was estranged from his family, who last heard from him in 2012. Police previously said the human remains were not believed to be connected to any known missing persons case.
