The Berks County Coroner’s Office has ruled the cause and manner of death for Travelle Martin as undetermined, following months of forensic examination after his remains were recovered in Cumru Township late last year.
Human remains were discovered on December 28, 2025, in a spillway within the Flying Hills development. The remains were later identified as Martin, who was the subject of a January 2025 police search in Cumru Township after he fled from officers during an alleged domestic incident, and his family later said they considered him missing and conducted their own search efforts.
According to Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel, investigators relied on multiple forensic methods to confirm the identification.
Forensic odontologist Tammy Balatgek, DDS, initially matched the remains to Martin using dental records on December 30, 2025. The identification was further supported the following day by forensic pathologist Dr. Neil Hoffman, who confirmed the match based on evidence of previously healed injuries known from Martin’s history.
A forensic autopsy was performed on January 9 at Reading Hospital.
Following the autopsy, Martin’s remains were transported to Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, where forensic anthropologist Joe Adserias-Garriga, DDS, PhD conducted a detailed forensic anthropological examination. The remains were returned to the Berks County Coroner’s Office on February 7.
After completing the examinations and consultations, the coroner’s office determined that both the cause and manner of Martin’s death are undetermined.
Officials said the condition of the remains significantly limited investigators’ ability to determine how Martin died.
The remains were largely skeletonized at the time they were recovered, meaning most soft tissue had decomposed. Investigators reported that no skeletal trauma — such as broken bones, gunshot wounds, or sharp-force injuries — was identified on the remains that were recovered.
Toxicology testing was also not possible because there was no remaining soft tissue that could be analyzed for the presence of drugs or poisons.
Investigators also noted the presence of adipocere, a waxy substance that can form during decomposition. According to the coroner’s office, the adipocere formation was consistent with prolonged freshwater submersion followed by later exposure to land.
Stitzel said the findings left investigators without enough physical evidence to determine how Martin died.
“‘Undetermined’ as a cause and manner of death means investigators don’t have enough physical evidence to determine whether the death was: Natural, Accident, Suicide, or Homicide There are only five choices for manner of death, including Undetermined. The condition of the remains made it impossible to reach a definitive conclusion.” Stitzel said in the release.
“While an undetermined ruling was not the conclusion we had wished for, we are hopeful that the recovery and identification of Travelle Martin will provide his parents and family with some measure of peace with the opportunity to lay their son to rest,” Stitzel said.
