CANTON ‒ The remains of Ryan T. “JJ” Godbey have been positively identified after being found in a remote wooded area in southern Stark County.
Police Chief John Gabbard said in a press release on Oct. 20 that Canton police investigators, assisted by agents from the Canton FBI office, had recovered the remains of the 26-year-old city resident who was reported missing June 22 by his family.
He said officers located human remains on July 23 while searching the wooded area based on information collected during the investigation.
“DNA testing by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has now confirmed that the remains are those of Godbey,” Gabbard said.
Police had charged Daniel Z. Mattay of Canton with murder on Aug. 27. He remains incarcerated at the Stark County Jail.
Mattay, 34, has pleaded not guilty to murder, felonious assault, strangulation, domestic violence, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact Canton police at 330-649-5800 or the Canton Police Detective Bureau at 330-489-3144. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Tip411 or the Stark County Crime Stoppers. Sign up for Tip411 at www.cantonohio.gov/police.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Remains of Ryan T. ‘JJ’ Godbey have been found and identified, Canton police say
Reporting by Nancy Molnar, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
