The Canton Police Department announced Monday that human remains found this summer in a remote wooded area in southern Stark County have been identified as Ryan T. Godbey, a 26-year-old who went missing in June.
"Some remains were found and they have been positively identified as Ryan’s, so that does give my family and I some sense to know and have some closure," said Jackie Godbey.
Godbey was reported missing by family on June 22 after disappearing for several days. They posted flyers all around the Canton area, including at Godbey's apartment and the nightclub where Godbey was last seen.
RELATED: Flyers posted around Canton as concern grows over missing man, Ryan Godbey
Godbey's debit card and driver's license were later found along I-77 near the Pro Football Hall of Fame. News 5's Bob Jones spoke to Godbey's family in June.
Watch the interview with the family below:
RELATED: Canton Police believe missing 26-year-old last seen June 19 has died
Godbey's remains were found on July 23 but weren't positively identified until the results of a DNA test conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation came back, according to Canton Police.
"One promise that I made to Jackie was that we would use every resource that we have possible to make sure that we bring Ryan home and have closure, and this is not over yet," said Canton Mayor William Sherer II.
Daniel Z. Mattay, who is Godbey's ex-boyfriend, according to police, was charged in connection with the case in early July.
RELATED: Canton Police charge man in connection to missing person, Ryan Godbey
On Aug. 27, a Stark County Grand jury indicted Mattay; he was charged with murder, felonious assault, strangulation, domestic violence, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse.
He's being held behind bars in the Stark County Jail in lieu of a $1.5 million bond.
"Why and how could somebody do this to another person, especially someone that was their friend?" said Jackie. "We have to be thankful that they continued to work, and they continued the efforts, and they went through and got this testing done so that myself, my family, Ryan’s friends, everybody could have some closure."
RELATED: Bond set at $1.5 million for man accused of killing Ryan Godbey
Canton Police are asking anyone who may have further information about the case to contact detectives at 330-489-3144.
