Cops: Body found in upstate NY may be missing man

PATTERSON, N.Y. (AP) - State police say a decomposed body found in Putnam County woods appears to be related to a 2010 missing person case.

Police say the remains were found by residents clearing a wooded area Saturday morning about 500 feet off Maple Avenue in the town of Patterson, about 60 miles northeast of New York City.

A search with police dogs led to the discovery of a bicycle and identification from 39-year-old Gabriel Lopez-Duarte of Patterson. A relative had reported him missing in October 2010 after he left home on a bike and didn’t return.

Positive identification will be made when DNA analysis is completed. The cause of death is still under investigation.