Lauderdale County authorities on Thursday said that skeletal remains discovered earlier this month have been identified as belonging to a man missing for almost five years.

Sheriff Joe Hamilton said at a news conference that the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences has identified bones and a skull found near County Road 6 as the remains of Bradley Eugene Lard.

Lard, 39, was reportedly last seen on Feb. 28, 2019 in the Cloverdale community at a gas station, Hamilton said. He was reported missing in April of 2019.

According to authorities, Lard had been at the home of an acquaintance when he reportedly “just walked off.”

Authorities said the bones, which were about 60% to 70% of the body, were discovered by a hunter on Dec. 13. Clothing found at the scene was also consistent with what Lard was reportedly wearing at the time of his disappearance.

Hamilton said investigators are still awaiting forensic results before determining whether Lard’s death was a result of foul play. He characterized the investigation as “very open,” as authorities found “new evidence” at the scene. When questioned, Hamilton would not disclose the nature of the evidence.

A $5,000 reward issued in 2019 for information in the case is still in effect.