Missing Man Living Under New Name Found Dead In NY After Almost A Decade

KEY POINTS

Robert Hoagland disappeared without his wallet, medication and cell phone
He was last seen at a gas station in Newtown on July 28, 2013, and his case remained open
A man with papers bearing Robert's name was found dead in New York Monday
Police said the man, who had been living as Richard King since November 2013, was Robert

A missing man from Connecticut, whose disappearance in 2013 drew large media attention and triggered a nationwide investigation, has been found dead in upstate New York, where he reportedly lived under a different name for almost a decade.

Robert Hoagland, from Newtown, was reported missing after he failed to pick up a family member from the airport and did not turn up for his work, NBC News reported.

Robert vanished without his wallet, medication and cell phone. He was last seen at a gas station on Church Hill Road in Newtown on July 28, 2013, Newtown Police Department said in a news release.

Although there were reports of his potential sightings, the case remained open, as the police could not trace Robert. His disappearance gained a lot of media attention and was even featured on an Investigation Discovery series called "Disappeared."

The Sheriff's department in Sullivan County, New York, contacted Newtown Police Monday, almost a decade since Robert's disappearance, after they found papers with his name while responding to "an untimely death" of a man at a residence in Rock Hill.

Newtown Police met up with Sullivan County Sheriff's Department and confirmed Tuesday that the deceased man was indeed Robert. The officials also determined that Robert had been living in Sullivan County under the name Richard King since November 2013. He was 59 years old at the time of his death.

Police have sent Robert's body for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of his death. Meanwhile, officials said they do not suspect foul play in his death.

Investigators also do not suspect any criminal aspect in his disappearance. However, they reportedly did not reveal further information about the case "out of respect to the family."

Robert's family is still in shock at the discovery and said they are not sure what would have motivated him to leave.

"It's pretty confusing. We're trying to handle it right now, to be honest. Haven't really figured out any details," his son, Christopher Hoagland, told the outlet.