CANTON, Ohio (WJW) – Modern forensic science is shedding light on what happened to an Ohio man who disappeared in June.

The mother of 26-year-old Ryan Godbey was notified by Canton police on Monday that DNA testing confirmed what she already knew in her heart. Human remains found in a wooded area of southern Stark County in July are those of her son, known to family and friends as “JJ.”

“We have to be thankful they continued to work and they continued the effort and they went through and got this testing done so that myself, my family and Ryan’s friends, everybody could have some closure,” said Jackie Godbey.

The DNA results are the next step in the pursuit of justice by Ryan Godbey’s family.

Based on evidence gathered by police after the 26-year-old was reported missing, his ex-boyfriend, 33-year-old Daniel Mattay, was indicted by a Stark County grand jury on August 27.

Mattay faces charges that include murder, strangulation, domestic violence, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse.

“I don’t think that I’ll ever understand how or why somebody would do this to another human being, especially somebody that’s your friend, that took you in when nobody else would, that picked you up in the rain and showed you kindness and companionship,” said Jackie Godbey.

The sad truth about what happened to Ryan Godbey began to emerge on June 23, when Canton police searched his apartment and found signs of a struggle and blood stains.

Later, an ODOT crew found his ID and debit card dumped along I-77.

Authorities said it was information gathered during the investigation of Mattay that led them to the remains in the wooded area.

The DNA testing and the search for answers to other troubling questions about the murder of Ryan Godbey are part of a promise made to his grieving family by detectives and the mayor of Canton.

“A mother should never have to be burying her child and whatever circumstances, just the amount of hate that’s out there today, that this should have never happened to Ryan or anybody in our community,” said Mayor William Sherer.

When asked about the support from city leaders, police and the community, Jackie Godbey told reporters on Monday, “it’s helped us keep going and not to just focus on the evil, but to be thankful for what we have and try to remind everybody the importance of community and supporting and loving the people around you.”

Mattay remains in the Stark County jail on a bond of $1.5 million.