A body found in the East Otto Forest Saturday has been positively identified as missing person Rudy Ray Rockett and authorities say his death is being treated as a homicide.
Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour and District Attorney Caroline Wojtaszek made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.
Rockett, 64 of Redondo Beach, CA, went missing from Ransomville April 29. Family members contacted law enforcement when Rockett never arrived in California. It was determined that Rockett never made his evening flight from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
Authorities said sheriff's investigators were alerted to the East Otto area based upon information obtained by the Cattaragus and Erie County Sheriff's Offices.
They said autopsy results are pending and the case is being treated as a homicide, but they will not be releasing any further information pending the outcome of the investigation.