Authorities are investigating after human remains were found Saturday morning near Highway 77 and West Pioneers Boulevard, less than 1,000 yards from the home of Tyler Goodrich, who was 35 when he went missing in November 2023.
According to Chief Deputy Ben Houchin of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, a person walking their dog discovered the body, which appeared to have “been there a while.” Authorities were contacted at approximately 9:42 a.m.
Houchin stated that the body was in a wooded area and likely had been there for over a year.
“Based on details at the scene, including the location and proximity to Tyler Goodrich’s last known whereabouts, investigators have been in contact with Mr. Goodrich’s family,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Officials are treating the death as suspicious but not as a homicide.
“We are not confirming 100% who the individual is yet. We still have investigating and the autopsy to complete,” Houchin said.
While authorities have not officially identified the body, Goodrich’s family met with investigators Saturday. His father, Lonnie Goodrich, is convinced the remains belong to his son.
“It’s Tyler. It’s Tyler. It’s Tyler. They were all his tattoos. His hair color was the same. It’s Tyler. He has been found,” Lonnie Goodrich said.
For over 16 months, investigators had few leads in Tyler Goodrich’s disappearance, other than a short surveillance video showing him running from his home.
“For sixteen and a half months, I’ve prayed every night,” Lonnie said. “I stood at my door, asking him to come up the driveway. I prayed that we would get information, and at least today, we got that one piece.”
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning. The sheriff’s office plans to release more details during its regular press briefing at 9:30 a.m. Monday.
Authorities noted that the area where the remains were found had been searched previously and was marked on a GIS map created by Lincoln Parks and Recreation.
