Skeletal Remains Found in Abandoned Garage Identified as Missing Galion Man
RICHLAND COUNTY, Ohio — Human skeletal remains discovered over the weekend in an abandoned garage on Crestline Bloominggrove Road have been identified as a Galion man missing since February 2023, according to a joint news release issued by Richland County Sheriff J. Steve Sheldon and Richland County Coroner Daniel Burwell.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 1:25 p.m. on December 7, reporting the discovery of possible human remains inside a detached garage at a vacant residence. Deputies responded and quickly confirmed the remains appeared to be human, securing the area before contacting the Coroner’s Office.
On December 8, investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Richland County Coroner’s Office, Mercyhurst University’s Forensic Anthropology Team, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI&I) Crime Scene Unit arrived to process the scene and recover the remains.
During the investigation, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office notified Richland County officials of an active missing person case matching the circumstances. Dental record comparison by a Mercyhurst University forensic odontologist confirmed the deceased as Dustin R. Engler, 43, of Galion.
Engler had been reported missing in February 2023.
The cause of death remains undetermined pending further examination and continued investigation. The Coroner’s Office confirmed that Engler’s next of kin were notified before the public release of information.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, with agencies from both Richland and Crawford counties continuing to collaborate.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit tipline at 419-774-5610.
