MONTICELLO, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say skeletal remains found in an upstate New York forest last month have been identified as those of a 76-year-old man who had been reported missing around Christmas.

The Times Herald-Record of Middletown reports (http://bit.ly/2wDNhsS ) that the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office says the identification of Lawrence Molinaro's remains was made through a serial number on a shoulder implant he had received several years ago.

Sheriff Mike Schiff says his remains were found next to his SUV that was discovered on Aug. 26 in a thickly wooded area in the town of Cochetcton (keh-CHEHK'-tehn), on the Pennsylvania border 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of New York City.

Molinaro was last seen on Dec. 27. He was reported missing when he failed to show up for a doctor's appointment two days later. Police don't suspect foul play in his death.

___

Information from: The Times Herald-Record, http://www.th-record.com

More From WIBX 950