Saint John police say human remains found on the city’s east side are those of a man missing for more than 18 months.

In a news release Tuesday morning, police confirmed that the remains had been positively identified as Kyle Leblanc.

“The Major Crime Unit continues to investigate the circumstances of his death. No further details will be released at this time,” police said in the release.

On Friday, a hiker found human skeletal remains west of an ATV trail in a densely wooded area northwest of Lakewood Heights.

That is not far from where the 32-year-old Leblanc had last been seen on Dec. 30, 2020.

Staff Sgt. Sean Rocca with the Saint John Police Force speaks with reporters on Aug. 15, 2022. Image: Tamara Steele

Following the discovery, a larger search effort took place throughout the day Sunday, according to Staff Sgt. Sean Rocca with the Saint John Police Force.

Rocca said about 15 trained search personnel from the River Valley and York Sunbury ground search and rescue were involved, along with seven police officers.

“The focus was an area west of an ATV trail where the human remains were located. During the search, more evidence was located that police believe were human skeletal remains,” Rocca told reporters on Monday.

Several searches for Leblanc were conducted in the wooded area around Lakewood Heights last year.

Police thanked the public for their help since the search for Leblanc began.

With files from Tamara Steele.