(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, ON) – A man from Middlesex County reported missing since 1977 has been found alive residing in the United States.

On September 29, 1977 Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) with the assistance of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an investigation into an early morning barn fire in the former Township of East Williams, Middlesex County. A male party was reported missing immediately following the fire. In 1986, almost nine years after his disappearance, the missing male was declared deceased by the courts.

In July 2014, the investigation into the disappearance of 32 year old Ronald STAN was reopened by Middlesex County OPP Crime Unit as a result of a routine audit of the case. Through the investigation, it was discovered that the male party was in fact alive and residing in the United States under an assumed identity of Jeff WALTON age 69.

The affected families and American authorities have been notified of the results of the investigation. The investigation into the disappearance of the missing male is now closed.