Missing 12-year-old found dead in attic nearly 4 years after disappearance

Authorities in Buffalo, New York, have launched a homicide investigation after the body of a missing 12-year-old boy was discovered in an attic Friday, nearly four years after he disappeared.

A maintenance worker called Buffalo police Friday morning to report that he had found a body — later confirmed to be that of Jaylen Griffin — in the attic of a building where he worked, according to the local affiliate from NBC, WGRZ.

Jaylen was reportedly last seen on August 4, 2020, when he left his home to go to a grocery store and never returned.

Jaylen’s mother, Joanne Ponzo, died last September. Tim Newkirk, who is close to Jaylen’s family, told local news outlet WIVB that Ponzo’s last words were a request to continue searching for his son.

Medical examiners identified Jaylen’s body through dental records and determined it had been in the attic for “a significant period of time,” Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told reporters at a news conference Monday.

“Unfortunately, (the body) was found exactly a week before his 16th birthday,” Gramaglia said.

According to WGRZ, Jaylen’s body was found about five miles from where he was last seen. Neighbors in the area told WIVB that they saw various residents entering and exiting the building and that police were present on several occasions.

Jaylen’s grandmother, Shirley Banks, told ABC affiliate WKBW that she had no idea how her grandson ended up in the home, saying he didn’t was not a fugitive.

“Someone had to take him there because he couldn’t have walked there,” Banks said. “He doesn’t know anyone there.”

Brian Griffin, Jaylen’s father, told WIVB that the discovery of his son’s remains only opened up more questions for him.

“We all don’t know how long he’s been deceased, I’m sure there would have been some sort of smell,” Griffin said.

Since Jaylen’s disappearance, the family has faced other tragedies. His brother Jawaan was shot and killed outside the family home just three months after Jaylen disappeared, WGRZ reported.

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