The Youngstown Police Department along with the Struthers Police Department have solved the cold case of a man who's been reported as missing since 2021.

According to Youngstown Police Captain Jason Simon, 33-year-old Randy Michaels was reported as missing from Youngstown all the way back in May of 2021. He was last known to be at the Steel City Bar on Midlothian Boulevard.

Once he was reported as missing, the Youngstown Police Department launched a search that lasted several months, but Michaels was never found despite numerous tips coming in.

It wasn't until November of 2023 that the Struthers Police Department received information on a previously unreported death within the city. Further investigation led police to believe this unreported death was Michaels.

In December, police investigated a tip that Michael's remains were found in a wooded area on Salt Springs Road just into Trumbull County.

Human remains were discovered in a drainage ditch just a quarter mile off of Salt Springs Road. These remains were later confirmed to be those of Michaels. His cause of death is currently undetermined.

As it stands, police believe Michaels to have died in Struthers after having gone missing from Youngstown. The Struthers Police Department has now taken the lead and are continuing the investigation.

Simon is using this case as a reminder of how important tips and cooperation from outside agencies can be to help solve cases like this and provide closure to affected families.

The Youngstown and Struthers Police Departments have offered their condolences to Michaels's family.

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