Larry was found by a group of workers tasked with removing shelves and coolers – the store had been shut for three years and the premises were finally being cleared.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation identified the store worker using DNA collected from his parents. The clothing also matched what he was said to have been wearing at the time of his disappearance.
An autopsy showed no signs of trauma to Larry and his death was ruled accidental, reports Des Moines Register.
Although Larry hadn’t been scheduled to work at the time he would have entered the grocery store, management said it wasn’t uncommon for employees to enter the store regardless of whether they were on a shift.
Former employees reportedly said it was common for workers to be in the space on top of the coolers, a place used for storage.