By Janice Morse
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - Investigators hope a $25,000 reward will entice tipsters to provide information that will lead to whoever killed, dismembered and burned a man whose body was found Dec. 31.

The crime was "horrific," Col. Richard K. Jones, Butler County Sheriff's Chief Deputy, said Monday, renewing a public appeal for information.

The reward is information leading to an arrest and conviction. It's being offered by the Sheriff's Office and the Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee, a group of firefighters, police officers and insurance officials.

Since the charred torso was found in Milford Township, the Sheriff's Office has repeatedly asked for help in identifying the victim.

The Sheriff's Office restored articles found on the victim - a sweat shirt, a T-shirt and a pocket knife - and released photographs of them, hoping they would be recognized.

"We've received phone calls from all over the U.S.," Jones said. Some of the tips have been fruitful.

Jones would not reveal the status of the investigation.

A forensic examination showed the victim was most likely black, 30 to 50 years old, 5-feet-6 to 5-feet-10, with a medium build, about 140 to 160 pounds.

The victim was wearing a T-shirt and sweat shirt.

The T-shirt was manufactured by Ecko Unltd., with the words, "Get 'Open'" in black letters underneath a wildlife design that was mostly destroyed.

The sweat shirt, by Southpole-USA, was emblazoned with "Southpole" and "since '91'' in cursive letters. Investigators are unsure of the materials' colors.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 785-1300.

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E-mail jmorse@enquirer.com