Buckeye Reporter

Ohio authorities have successfully identified a man whose picture was recently released to the public in hopes of gathering information. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Franklin County Coroner Dr. Nate Overmire announced that the individual has been named as Pedro Martinez Cruz, a 73-year-old resident of Columbus.

"Thank you to the media and the public who helped spread the word and those who called in tips," said Yost. "We were able to identify this man and provide some closure to his family."

Dr. Overmire emphasized the importance of dignity and respect for all individuals, stating, "We believe each person is worthy of dignity and respect. Our patients can no longer advocate for themselves so we must on their behalf. We are very grateful to the community for helping us connect Mr. Cruz to his family." He also expressed pride in the efforts made by his team and others involved: "I am extremely proud of the compassionate, talented staff that worked on this case from my office, BCI, and Attorney General Yost’s office. Together, we were able to solve a mystery."

The identification process involved releasing post-mortem images of Cruz on January 29, completed by a forensic artist from Attorney General Yost’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation at the request of the Franklin County Coroner’s Office.

Cruz was described as being 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing 154 pounds, with shaggy dark gray hair, a mustache, and a beard. He was found wearing two rosaries around his neck when discovered deceased on December 19 in a shed behind a home located in the 2200 block of Sullivant Avenue.

For further inquiries or information related to this case, media contact Steve Irwin at 614-728-5417.