Missing father turned out to be buried in his basement after son discovered his remains.

5years ago

A missing father's case finally reached a closure after his son discovered his remains while digging his basement on October.

the father went missing in 1961 when his son was an infant.

Michael Carroll, 57, and his two adult sons were digging below their basement in Lake Grove, New York, on October 31 when they discovered "what appeared to be human remains," according to the police statement. They called 911 and homicide detectives came to investigate.

Michael lives in the house formerly owned by his parents, George and Dorothy. Dorothy Carroll died in the late 1990s.

Police released a statement Wednesday confirming that the remains belong to George Carroll, Police said the death is being investigated as a homicide.

"Now that we know he didn't abandon us it makes us feel better," Carroll said on Wednesday, adding "it was what I expected."

"I think my mom was trying to protect us as young kids," said the oldest son, Steven Carroll.

the family plans to cremate the father's remains and hold a memorial for him in the spring.

the remains were taken to the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office to be examined by an anthropologist.