BERKS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A human skull found in Berks County has been identified as a missing man wanted for the attempted murder of his wife 20 years ago

The Berks County District Attorney’s office says in April 2004, Roger Hart, formerly of Pottstown, disappeared after he tried to kill his wife at their home.

At the time Hart’s vehicle was found with his car keys and wallet inside and a resident reported seeing a man matching Hart’s description enter a wooded area.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

abc27 Evening Newsletter

According to the District Attorney’s Office, the skull was found in April 2022 by a boy in a pond, located near Pine Lane in Amity Township, near his home. The finding led to two searches of the pond for more skeletal remains but none were found.

The Amity Township Police Department and county detectives began an investigation and suspected that the skull was Hart.

The skull was sent to Mercyhurst University in Erie to be examined, and the results came back that the skull was male and believed to have been exposed to the elements for more than 10 years, according to the DA’s Office. Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI in Quantico, Virginia also conducted advanced DNA analysis.

Eventually, the skull was determined to be Hart’s based on the investigation and DNA testing, but due to the skull’s condition and lack of skeletal remains Hart;’s cause of death could not be determined.

A multitude of law enforcement agencies such as Amity Police Department and the Berks County District Attorney Detectives were assisted by the FBI, PA State Police, Berks County Coroner’s Office, the Pottstown Borough Police Department, and also numerous fire, rescue and search crews.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.