By Jim Hannah
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ERLANGER - Skeletal remains found frozen to the ground over the weekend had been in the overgrown field behind a supermarket for more than two years, a state medical examiner ruled Tuesday.

A woman searching for her cat Saturday afternoon came upon the remains in a field behind the Aldi supermarket on Dixie Highway.

Erlanger Police guarded the skeleton for the remainder of the weekend and waited for noted Kentucky forensic anthropologist Dr. Emily Craig to arrive.

On Monday, investigators covered the site with tarps and brought in portable heaters.

Investigators spent eight hours removing the clothing and bones as the skeleton thawed.

At the Kentucky medical examiner's lab in Frankfort, Craig ruled Tuesday that the remains were that of a muscular white man, 6 feet tall, age 40 to 55.

The clothes recovered were a Weather Proof Garment Company-brand multi-pocketed green vest, an Eddie Bauer women's red long-sleeve shirt, Highland Outfitter brand jeans, blue sweat pants with the name "Hillard Track," and blue gym shoes.

No identification was found on the body.

Anyone with information about the possible identity of the man is asked to call Erlanger Police at (859) 727-2424.

E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com