Skeleton found in central Ohio is hospital patient

Man walked away from medical center last spring

3/4/2013

COLUMBUS — Police say a skeleton found behind a central Ohio warehouse over the weekend is that of a 64-year-old man who walked away from a hospital last spring.

Police said Kenneth Whitfield was a patient at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center in Columbus when he disappeared May 18. The Pittsburgh-area resident hadn't been seen since.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that a couple walking their dog just after 10 a.m. Saturday found the skeleton under a cluster of trees behind a warehouse in an industrial section of Grandview Heights.

Police say they don't know yet what caused Whitfield's death, but they do not suspect foul play.

There was identification with the clothing, but the coroner's office said it wanted to match dental records, too.