Friday, Sep. 05, 2008

Remains found near Rosewood identified

Michael Dale Cloer had been missiing since 2004

Skeletal remains recently recovered at the end of Beecliff Drive in Columbia are those of Michael Dale Cloer, who went missing May 23, 2004, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said Thursday.

Investigators used X-ray comparisons to make the identification, but have not determined a cause or manner of death, Watts said.

“There’s nothing to indicate any trauma on any of the skeletal remains,” Watts said.

Columbia police have found nothing to indicate there was any foul play, police spokesman Brick Lewis said.

Investigators recovered more than 90 percent of the remains, Watts said. Cloer is believed to have died shortly after he went missing, Watts said. He was 59 at the time, and his last known address was on South Kilbourne Road, Watts said.

The recovery effort began Aug. 28 after someone brought a bone to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. It was identified as a human vertebrae.

The remains were found in a wooded area and were not buried, Watts said.

Cloer, who was estranged from his family, had respiratory problems and used oxygen, but it was not required 24 hours a day, Watts said.

He did not have his oxygen with him when he went missing, Watts said.

He also had injuries from a motor vehicle collision, substance abuse issues and a psychiatric history, Watts said.

On the Web site for the National Center for Missing Adults, there is a profile of Cloer’s case and several photographs of him.

Reach Higgins at (803) 771-8570.