Human Remains Found in Roxbury Identified as Morris County Man

Nine months after human remains were found in Roxbury, forensic scientists have been able to identify the person, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announced Thursday.

Forensic scientists along with a forensic odontologist identified Ronald Blanco, whose last known address was Wharton, as the man discovered on Nov. 13, 2013 at the former site of the Hercules Chemical Company, Knapp said.

Blanco’s date of birth was March 4, 1984, Knapp said, and there is no indication of suspicious activity or trauma that would indicate criminal activity resulting in the man’s death.

An environmental contractor hired by Ashland, Inc. was working in the area off of Rt. 46 on Nov. 13 and came across the remains. The Hercules Chemical Company was closed in 1996.

Knapp did not state how long the remains had been there or the approximate day of Blanco’s death.