Douglas County officials said remains found in a wooded area near I-20 are that of missing teacher Larry Bolen.
The remains were found Wednesday night by two teenagers about a mile east of the Ga. 5 exit, according to Channel 2 Action News.
The ID was confirmed using dental records, clothing and Bolen’s driver’s license, the news station reported. There was no sign of foul play or suicide.
Bolen, a 62-year-old English teacher at Alexander High School, was last seen at his home in Douglasville on May 8, 2015.
He left the next morning and grabbed breakfast at a nearby Chick-fil-A before apparently driving to Hunter Park. Bolen took his keys and wallet from his home, but not his cellphone or blood pressure medication, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.
His minivan was found at the park in September 2016.
Authorities are still at a loss about what happened to Bolen.
“We have no idea,” Douglas County sheriff’s Sgt. Jesse Hambrick told Channel 2. “We know he left his vehicle willingly three years ago. He walked away from his car, and that’s the last information we had.”
MORE: Still no sign of missing Douglas County teacher
A woman who identified herself as a family friend commented Thursday on a Facebook page created to aid in the search for the man.
ALSO: 'Help Find Larry Bolen' Facebook page
She said the news hit Bolen’s son hard.
“I would like to ask that everyone keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” Henkel said.
Bolen began working in Douglas County in 1987 as an English/language arts teacher at Lithia Springs High and earned Teacher of the Year honors, the school system said Thursday. He later transferred to Alexander.
After 30 years in education, Bolen planned to retire at the end of the 2014-15 school year.
“He said he was going to enjoy his free time and pick up some hobbies,” son James Bolen told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2016.
Douglas County School System superintendent Trent North released a statement about Bolen: “We are profoundly saddened by the recent discovery of the remains of Larry Bolen. Mr. Bolen was a dedicated teacher and greatly loved by students and staff. For nearly three decades, Mr. Bolen served the Douglas County School System with passion and pride. ... The Douglas County School System extends our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Bolen.”
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