WEST FRANKFORT — Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler recently released the name of a man who badly decomposed remains were found last August on the Old Ben #9 Coal Mine property just east of West Frankfort.

Leffler says the man is 47-year-old Charles E. Hall of Marion. He was last known to have been alive on June 1 of last year. His remains were discovered by a coon hunter while out training his dogs. The skeletal remains and the scene were processed by the Franklin County Coroner, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies and investigators and an Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigator.

Leffler says extensive examinations including X-rays, a forensic autopsy, a forensic entomology exam, review of medical records, obtaining and examining VA dental records, a forensic anthropologist examination of the skeleton and DNA testing were all used to verify positive identification of Hall’s bones. Leffler added that it took several months to obtain the information needed to make a positive identification.

The investigation continues into how Hall got to the place his remains were found and how he died according to Leffler. Leffler says Hall’s death is being treated as suspicious. He was never reported missing.

Anyone with information should contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.