Remains found in central Indiana positively ID'd as Louisville man who vanished in 2002

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Remains discovered by a turkey hunter in central Indiana have been identified as those of a a Louisville man who was reported missing more than 20 years ago.

According to a news release, the remains were found in May 2004 near Lake Lemon in northeast Monroe County. That's just north of Yellowwood State Forest in central Indiana.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office says the remains were taken to a private DNA lab and positively identified as those of Steve Gabbard, of Louisville, who was reported missing in 2002 when he was 38 years old. According to his family members, he was last seen heading for Indianapolis on a blue Harley Davidson.

"An investigation regarding Gabbard by authorities in the Indianapolis area from this same time period indicated he may have been met with foul play," the news release states.

Authorities say evidence recovered from the site of the remains also indicates that a homicide likely occurred.

This story may be updated.