A body found on Saturday has been identified as Tim Middleton, 50, of Harlan, who went missing in late 2018.

Middleton’s body was found at a house on 626 May Street in Harlan on Saturday, according to officials at Kentucky State Police Post 10.

According to the press release, the residence has been abandoned for approximately six years. Troopers said the owner was cleaning up the property and noticed the basement door was open. The owner went to investigate and discovered a decomposing body.

It was confirmed on Friday by KSP that after an autopsy in Frankfort, the body belongs to Middleton. The Harlan City Police Department office had been working his missing person case since December 28, 2018.

The cause of death has not been determined and is still under investigation. KSP will release more information as it becomes available.

The case is under investigation by detective Josh Howard. KSP was assisted at the scene on Saturday by the Harlan City Police Department and the Harlan County Rescue Squad.

This is a developing story the Harlan Enterprise will update as we receive more information.