READING, Pa.- Investigators say they’ve identified the human remains found in an abandoned house in the 500 block of S. 6th Street in Reading as 47-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Figueroa Jr.
“Everybody knew. Everybody was talking about him missing… where’s Hov, where’s Hov,” says Charles, who has lived in the neighborhood for 25 years.
Authorities say his body was found in a recycling can inside the house on October 2nd.
“Clearly after he was murdered, or at some point, the body was put in the recycling can and frankly was not discovered until recently,” says Berks County District Attorney John Adams.
An autopsy indicated Rodriguez-Figueroa Jr. did not die of natural causes. Authorities say information from the public paired with the investigation of forensic experts helped officials quickly confirm his identity.
Now authorities are looking into when and why he was killed.
“We’re looking for help,” says Adams.
“We’re certain that someone out there knew who he may have had problems with, knew that he was not seen all of a sudden, and we’re certain that someone knew something, heard something, or saw something,” he added.
According to Adams, the house had been vacant for quite some time.
One neighbor 69 News spoke with says he used to speak with the victim regularly but hadn’t seen him for about a year and a half. The neighbor says he was not shocked at the discovery.
“It almost seems normal,” says Charles.
“I grew up around here, and people get shot every day. People get killed every day,” he remarked.
Investigators say if you have any information that could potentially help them find some answers, please contact Reading Police at (610) 655-6116.