YOUNGSTOWN — The body found in a wooded area off North Truesdale Avenue on the East Side on Thursday has been identified as Landon Lockhart, a missing 14-year-old boy of Parkwood Avenue.

The Youngstown Police Department issued a news release Friday, calling the death a homicide.

The body was identified as Landon’s by using fingerprint records, police said. Landon had been missing since Nov. 21, and the police department rereleased his photo and information about him being missing last week.

The Youngstown City School District expressed its sadness over the news, noting that Landon was a student at Chaney Middle School. The school district said it will continue to work with law enforcement officials as needed.

Schools CEO Justin M. Jennings said, “We send our thoughts and prayers to Landon’s family and will help the family connect with community resources to provide additional support.”

He added, “Our counselors are ready to provide grief counseling to YCSD scholars and staff. Our hearts are heavy over another senseless loss of a young life.”

City school district families may reach out through the school district’s Remind communication system to seek help for their children who need support.

Landon disappeared from his South Side home in November. He was last seen leaving his home, police said. He was wearing black pants, a black windbreaker with a neon green Nike logo, a black ski mask and Calvin Klein slip-ons.

“This actively investigated missing juvenile case has now transformed into an active and ongoing homicide investigation by the YPD and the coroner’s office,” the police release states.

A police spokesman said he cannot comment on the cause of death or on any details about the body.

Tips leading to an arrest and / or prosecution are eligible for a monetary reward. Call Crime Stoppers at 330-747-CLUE or 330-746-8YPD with any information or tips, which may be left anonymously.

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