LOVE COUNTY, OK - Investigators have identified bones found near Lake Murray last week as those of a missing Love County man.

The state medical examiner positively identified the remains as those of Jordan Buckaloo, 43, of Marietta.

"We now know we have an identity on the remains so we can continue forward with our investigation in what is now a suspicious death investigation," Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown said.

Family members have been hoping for answers for the past eight months. Buckaloo's aunt spent days walking near the creek looking for clues.

On Tuesday, surveyors stumbled upon Buckaloo's remains in the Hickory Creek Wildlife Management Area, not far from where his van and belongings were found last June.

Even though the remains have been confirmed as those of Jordan Buckaloo, how he died remains unknown. However, Brown said coroners may be able to come up with more answers.

"It's quite difficult to determine a cause when you only have skeletal remains, but it can be done," Brown said.