By Logan Andrew | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
December 10, 2025
Authorities have confirmed that the human skeletal remains discovered over the weekend in an abandoned structure near Galion belong to Dustin R. Engler, 43, who had been missing since February 2023.
According to a joint news release issued Tuesday by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and the Richland County Coroner’s Office, deputies were dispatched on December 7 around 1:25 p.m. after a 911 caller reported possible human remains in the detached garage of an abandoned residence on Crestline-Blooming Grove Road. Deputies arrived and confirmed the remains were human before securing the scene and notifying the coroner.
On December 8, investigators from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Richland County Coroner’s Office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI&I), and Mercyhurst University’s Forensic Anthropology Team processed the scene. Mercyhurst’s forensic odontologist later confirmed Engler’s identity through dental records provided by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, which had an active missing-person investigation open for him.
“The cause of death remains undetermined pending continued investigation,” said Major Jim Sweat of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
Sweat also noted that the skeletal remains were collected and analyzed by Mercyhurst University specialists following processing of the scene.
Engler’s next of kin were notified prior to the public release of the information.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation remains ongoing, and they continue to collaborate with both the Richland County Coroner and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit tip line at 419-774-5610.
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