DNA sequencing technology allowed investigators to positively identify the remains of a man killed nearly 40 years ago - and returned him to his family.

MONROE COUNTY, MI – Officials have identified a homicide victim whose remains were found in a wooded area in Monroe County in 1986. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday the victim was identified as Shaun Daniel Brauner of Detroit. His remains were found on Oct. 17, 1986 in a wooded lot on Lewis Avenue in Ida.

Michigan authorities have identified a homicide victim whose remains were found in a wooded area in Monroe County in 1986.

The cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma to the head in a homicide, but the investigation was never able to ID the remains after exhausting all leads, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said.