Human remains found in Great Miami River belong to missing Franklin man

The human remains found in the Great Miami River in Franklin have been identified as a man who has not been seen since June 21.

Mike DeBorde, chief investigator for the Warren County Coroner’s Office, confirmed the identity of the remains as William “BJ” Middleton Jr., 37, who was residing at a campsite along the Great Miami River. Middleton was reported as a missing person on July 4, according to Franklin police.

DeBorde released the identity after Middleton’s identity was confirmed by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. The remains were severely decomposed after being in the river for a period of time, he said. However, DeBorde said Middleton’s identity was confirmed through his fingerprint.

No other information on the case was available Monday afternoon as Franklin police continues its investigation.

Franklin Police Chief Adam Colon said a drone launched by Texas EquuSearch spotted the skeletal remains about 5:30 p.m. Sunday as they were searching for Middleton. Searchers contacted police to investigate the remains, Colon said.

Unidentified human remains were found Sunday on a small island on the Great Miami River north of the Lions Bridge in Franklin after being spotted by a drone searching for a missing local man.

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About the Author

Ed Richter

Ed Richter has been a working journalist for 38 years, with the last 34 years working in various capacities covering Butler and Warren counties as a reporter and an editor. Richter covers local news and governments in Warren County focusing on Springboro, Lebanon, Franklin, Carlisle and Waynesville.