New York State Park Police have confirmed that the human remains discovered in Allegany State Park on Tuesday are those of a 92 year old retired pastor who went missing nearly a year and a half ago.
The identity of Reverend Thomas Hamilton of Great Valley was determined by dental records.
Hamilton and his 66 year old daughter became lost while hiking through the park in November of 2010. The woman made it to safety the following day, but an eight day search for Hamilton at the time was fruitless.
Skull and bone fragments were found this week, along with the Reverend's walking stick and watch, by another hiker about 500 feet from a park trail.