After decades of uncertainty, a Warren man who disappeared and died in the 80s is officially identified.

Portage County detectives have learned that David Kaziateck was just 36 years old when he was killed and partially buried on a private farm in 1988.

"A farmer was plowing an area of his land that he usually didn't tend to, when he saw something shiny that caught his eye and it ended up being this man's prosthetic hip," freelance writer for The Porchlight Project, Carolyn Berardino said. 

In 1988, when police arrived to the property that sits off of Cable Line Road, Kaziateck's body was badly decomposed, but detectives ruled his death a homicide after finding his skull fractured.

With limited technology, police could not determine his age or identity for decades.

However, that all changed in August 2023 when The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation scanned his fingerprints through the FBI database. 

Today's Portage County detectives visited the farm where the remains were discovered with hopes of talking to the property owner who found Kaziateck.

"We had a little bit of a problem at first [because] we believe [the property owner] is suffering from dementia, but the detectives were able to bring up Google Maps to help him recollect what happened and he was able to point out exactly where the body was located," Portage County Captain, Lewis Finsen told 21 News.

Detectives are asking the public for information such as who Kaziateck was associated with at the time of his disappearance and death.  

To report any tips or any information contact the Portage County Detective Bureau at (330) 297-3886.