RIDGWAY — The skeletal remains found in Elk County have been identified as Frank Arthur Gillespie, reported missing from his home in James City in August of 2018.
Gillespie, 53, left his home after an argument sometime around the end of June in 2018, according to Crime Watch PA.
Elk County Coroner Michelle A. Muccio said Tuesday that Gillespie’s remains were found by a hiker at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday in a heavily wooded area adjacent to the Twin Lakes Recreational Area in Jones Township.
Muccio said, “Positive identification of Gillespie was determined through dual means, first by personal effects found with the remains and secondarily by means of a surgical plate that had been implanted and a comparative analysis of the serial numbers was consistent with being that of Gillespie.”
She indicated that the specific cause and manner of death remain undetermined, although there is no foul play associated with the death. Crime Watch reported that Gillespie had medical issues and had struggled with drug use.
Muccio confirmed that Gillespie’s time of death was consistent with the time he went missing.
Assisting at the scene was the Pennsylvania State Police, Mercyhurst University Forensic Anthropology Services Response Team and the Elk County Coroner’s Office.
Muccio said the case remains open pending the results of further forensic testing.
