LAWRENCE COUNTY, Pa. — It took 10 years, but the family of Christopher Story is finally getting some closure.
Story’s remains were found last month in the woods near West Pittsburg Road in Taylor Township, just a few miles from where he was last seen in 2013.
“We’ve spent 10 years, you know, praying for the best and preparing for the worst, so it’s a sort of closure,” said Philip Story, Christopher Story’s father.
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A neighborhood along South Cedar Street in Mahoningtown was the last place Christopher Story was seen nearly a decade ago.
After a near decade of unanswered questions for Philip Story and his family, Wednesday afternoon brought some clarity.
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Authorities told the family that skeletal remains found a few weeks ago in a wooded area are those of Christopher Story.
“We can stop looking every time we ride around in town, we can stop looking at every face we see and see if it’s him,” Philip Story said.
Over the past 10 years, there have been numerous organized searches with volunteers trying to find him.
“We appreciate all the help,” said Philip Story.
Those searches never turned up anything, but a father and son walking through the woods in Taylor Township a few weeks ago did.
“He was missing from Mahoningtown and a few miles from there my mother was in a nursing home there,” Philip Story explained. “We actually think one of the people to last see him was one of the nurses at the nursing home and he was found near there.”
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The Lawrence County Coroner’s office, New Castle Police along with help from the FBI and K9 cadaver dogs recovered the remains.
His father said he’ll always remember his son as a wonderful man.
“He was a very outgoing and friendly person. Always willing to help people (silence) just a good person.”
The Lawrence County coroner has not ruled on a cause or manner of death. 11 News was told told the remains will be sent to the FBI for forensic testing. Philip Story says he’s not sure which steps to take next. He’s requesting help from anyone who has dealt with a situation like this before.
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