(Photo : Buffalo Police Department)
Jaylen Griffin, 12, was last seen leaving his house in August 2020. He planned to go to a grocery store, but never made it back home, police said.

Nearly four years after a Buffalo, New York, boy vanished during a grocery run, authorities said they recovered his remains in the attic of a random home.

Jaylen Griffin, 12, was last seen leaving his house in August 2020. He planned to go to a grocery store, but never made it back home, police said, according to WGRZ-TV.

On Friday, a maintenance worker servicing a home in a Buffalo neighborhood five miles away from where Jaylen disappeared called police to report the discovery of a dead body, police said.

Using dental records, the Erie County Medical Examiner identified the deceased as Jaylen.

Authorities did not disclose how long his body had been in the attic of the "occupied structure."

"I do want to extend my sincerest sympathies to the family of Jaylen," Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told reporters during a press conference Monday, according to the station. "This department has conducted extensive searches and I want Jaylen's family to know that we are working diligently to bring the next closure for the family."

Jaylen's father said he was unaware his son's remains were found.

"They say they found the body Friday, why wasn't I notified?" Brian Griffin wondered, according to WIVB-TV. At the same time, he admitted, "now that I have confirmation, I do feel a lot better."

No arrests have been made.  A cause of death remains under investigation.