Indiana County Coroner Michael Baker announced on Wednesday that an extensive DNA investigation confirmed that a missing 17-year-old Pittsburgh boy is the murder victim whose burned remains were found in a barrel in the Conemaugh River last year.

An autopsy revealed evidence that Rodnell Burton of Homewood had been struck on the head with an object like a baseball bat, placed in the 55-gallon barrel and set on fire after he was doused with a hydrocarbon fuel, Baker said in a news release.

Baker tentatively identified Burton as the victim, but further DNA evidence confirmed the findings.

"Although the coroner's office was convinced from the outset that Burton was the victim, a positive, forensically sustainable identification is necessary and always preferable over circumstantial information provided by persons possibly involved in the crime itself," Baker said in the release.

Burton's body was found in Burrell Township on Aug. 31, five months after he was last seen leaving his girlfriend's home in Plum.

State police charged Jon Anthony Black of South Huntingdon with the murder. He was held for trial earlier this year.

A trial date has not been scheduled by President Judge William Martin.

Baker said DNA specimens taken from the body were compared to samples provided by the victim's mother. No dental records were available for forensic identification.

Baker has listed the cause of death as blunt-force head trauma and thermal burns.

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