Human Remains Discovered in Cranberry Identified as Missing Butler Man

The human remains discovered along Dutilh Road in Cranberry Feb. 16 have been identified as a missing Butler man.

Cranberry police Sgt. Chuck Mascellino said investigators used dental records to identify 47-year-old Christopher Menosky, who was reported missing in July.

Mascellino said Menosky’s last known address was in Butler. He originally was from Beaver County.

Police do not know how Menosky died at this time, Mascellino said. Foul play is not suspected.

“We don’t suspect anything suspicious at this time,” Mascellino said.

Investigators were able to identify Menosky with help from a wallet with identification in it found near where the skeletal remains where discovered across from Dutilh United Methodist Church.

Police were called to the area the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 16 after a man walking from UPMC Passavant Cranberry to the Cranberry Mall saw the remains and dialed 9-1-1.

Once the discovery was made, a number of families of missing people reached out to Cranberry Police, including Menosky’s family.

“We initially did speak with family members the night of the discovery. They had contacted us,” Mascellino said. “After the confirmation was made late yesterday, we made contact with them today.”

A forensic anthropology team led by Dr. Dennis Dirkmatt from Mercyhurst University in Erie also assisted authorities in identifying the body by setting up an anthropology reconstruction of the remains.

Mascellino said investigators do not know why Menosky was in Cranberry the night he died.

“I doubt that we’ll find out,” he said.  

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