Deceased Man Identified After Mysterious Discovery in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The body of a man found in Franklin County has been identified, authorities said on Tuesday. Pedro Martinez Cruz, 73, of Columbus, was discovered dead in a shed behind a house on the 2200 block of Sullivant Avenue on December 19, 2024.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Franklin County Coroner Dr. Nate Overmire made the announcement, confirming that Cruz’s identification came thanks, in part, to the public’s assistance. A forensic scientist from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) had created a post-mortem image to aid in the identification process.

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

Dr. Overmire emphasized the importance of dignity in death, saying, “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.”

On January 29, 2025, Yost and Overmire shared the post-mortem images with the public in an effort to gather information on the man’s identity. The images, assisted by a forensic artist from the Ohio BCI, helped the community recognize Cruz.

Cruz was described as 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing 154 pounds, with shaggy, dark gray hair, and a mustache and beard. He was wearing two rosaries around his neck at the time of his discovery. The coroner’s office reported that Cruz’s death does not involve foul play, and an autopsy indicated that chronic alcoholism likely contributed to his passing.

“I am extremely proud of the compassionate, talented staff that worked on this case from my office, BCI, and Attorney General Yost’s office,” Dr. Overmire added. “Together, we were able to solve a mystery.”