Human remains identified as missing Mercer Co. man

MERCER, Pa. -- The Mercer County coroner has confirmed that human remains found by a hunter earlier this month are those of an elderly man reported missing in the summer.

Eighty-year-old Donald Mariacher was last seen July 13 in East Lackawannock Township.

Several searches failed to find Mariacher, who police said was agoraphobic -- or afraid to leave his house.

Skeletal remains now confirmed to be Mariacher's were discovered by a hunter Dec. 1 in woods a half mile from his home. The Mercer County coroner says his death has been ruled accidental and due to environmental exposure.