On April 2, 2024, detectives from the Exeter Township Police Department discovered human remains in the Five Points area of Exeter Township. The remains, including a human skull, were found with the assistance from the Berks County Coroner’s Office, working through the night despite adverse weather conditions. Forensic analysis confirmed the remains belonged to Anthony Rodriguez, who had been missing since 2015.
The identification was made possible through the expertise of a forensic odontologist, who matched dental records to the skull. A follow-up search on April 15, 2024, uncovered additional remains, further corroborating the initial findings.
This discovery comes after a similar incident on March 8, 2020, when human bones were located nearby during a search operation involving the Exeter Township Police Department and the Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue.
Read more: Exeter Twp. Police announce discovery of partial human remains of man missing since 2015
Despite extensive efforts, including the involvement of the Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives, Berks County Forensic Services Unit, and a forensic anthropologist from the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, no additional remains were found at that time.
Advanced DNA analysis conducted by Mitotyping Technologies confirmed the identity of the remains. The investigation continued with an anthropological examination at Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, which ruled out dismemberment with a cutting object, though the cause and manner of death remain undetermined due to the condition of the skeletal remains.
The investigation received support from various agencies, including the FBI, PA State Police, Berks County District Attorney’s Office, Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, and several fire, rescue, K-9, and search organizations.
The Exeter Township Police Department continues to seek answers regarding the circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death, urging anyone with information to come forward.
