Remains found in Tuscaloosa County woods confirmed to be 47-year-old man missing since July

A body found in a Tuscaloosa County wooded area in late August has officially been identified as a 47-year-old missing man.

Jason Robert Lainberger had been reported missing to the Northport Police Department in late July.

On Aug. 21, Northport police found his body in a wooded area behind some businesses near the intersection of McFarland Boulevard and Northbrook Drive. The discovery was made by investigators who had been searching for Lainberger.

Because of the condition of his body, he was not immediately able to be identified.

Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Jack Kennedy said the remains were sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and DNA was used to make the final identification, which took several months.

That confirmation came last week, Kennedy said Monday.

Investigators are still working with ADFS to determine the cause of death but said the initial autopsy does not indicate trauma or foul play at this time.