The Tempe Police Department confirmed that the body found at a construction site was that of 91-year-old Apolonio Romero, who had gone missing earlier this month.
On Tuesday, officials positively identified the remains.
“Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time,” a Tempe police official stated in an email.
Last week, officers reported that they discovered Romero’s remains near McClintock and Weber drives, south of McKellips Road, following a 911 call.
According to investigators, the body showed no visible evidence of trauma.
The body’s recovery came after many days of frantic searches for Romero by fire and police departments, volunteers, family members, and community members.
Romero, who had dementia and type 2 diabetes, was last seen alive on Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. near Miller Road and Weber Drive, north of the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway and east of Scottsdale Road, wandering alone. He was reported missing the following day.
On January 5, police K-9s followed his smell to Vista Del Camino Park, which is near Hayden Road and Roosevelt Street. They were unable to locate anything despite an exhaustive search with sonar and drones. Family and friends distributed flyers throughout the north Tempe and Scottsdale neighborhoods before they discovered him.
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