Police in Bazetta Township and the Trumbull County Coroner's Office have identified a body found at Mosquito Lake after almost 12 years.

Authorities say they're now investigating the death of 47-year-old Gregory L. Griffin as a homicide, but say they don't have many leads yet in the case. 

"The very fact that he was put in a secluded area and the body was hidden for six to eight months, pretty far off the beaten path by two fishermen, tells you we're probably dealing with a homicide," said Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk, Trumbull County coroner.

Police held a news conference on Monday to release Griffin's name, but say they know little about him other than that he was from the Youngstown area and did not associate with many people. 

"We're going to try and rewind the tape of his life and find out where he was, possibly where this homicide occurred at," said Chief Mike Hovis,  Bazetta Township Police.

No gunshot or stabbing wounds were found on Griffin's body. 

He was found on July 23, 2006, near Mosquito Lake. 

Hovis tells 21 News he was there the day Griffin's body was found badly decomposed.

Police told 21 News at that time that a family found "skeletal" remains while taking a shortcut in order to go fishing. 

Investigators were called out to remove several layers of sand, hoping to find a clue of how long the remains may have been there. 

But investigators initially said they thought the victim was an African-American male in his 50s, approximately 5'8". 

One of the hopes was that a gold earring, found near the body, would lead investigators to a clue. 

Bazetta police tracked down the seller of the earring, but that person did not remember Griffin. 

A tip in February of 2017 to police lead to the discovery of Griffin's identity. Until that time no DNA matches could be found.

Police previously told 21 News that a federal forensic anthropologist would be working on the case as well. 

In 2010, investigators from the FBI released a facial reconstruction, in the hopes that the man would finally have a name. 

Although, in 2006, police said even though there were no obvious signs of trauma, the death appeared suspicious, because the victim's body was discovered with no clothes.

This is a developing story. Stay with 21 News for more information as it becomes available.