SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (WTHR) — Police say a body found in an empty apartment in Shelbyville is that of Derek Beagle, 44, who went missing Nov. 2018.
Officers were called to 14 East Broadway Street after a body was discovered in the attic above an empty apartment.
"At this time, the cause and manner of Derek's death is undetermined, and is still under investigation," said Detective Jason Brown with Shelbyville Police.
Beagle's family is seeking answers.
"He went out to smoke, left his phone, wallet, everything inside," said his son Conner Beagle.
Conner says that was unusual.
"I've never seen him go out to smoke without his phone once. Neither of us have," said Beagle.
Police say Beagle was last seen on West Jackson Street.
Detectives say when they found his body, there were no signs of trauma or foul play.
Investigators say tenants had been complaining of an odor for some time.
A maintenance worker discovered the source.
Beagle's family is filled with emotions.
"Sad, rage, because you really don't know what happened. There's no answers really," said Kaden Branam, Beagle's son.
The family says it's been a nearly year-long investigation into his disappearance and they are just hoping for closure.
"He never said a bad thing about nobody. He stayed to himself. He's a very good guy. He was very giving. He was social. He was a very down to earth person," said Branam.