Opelousas Police have confirmed that a skull found in a canal on Prudhomme Lane in October is that of a man who went missing in 2013.
Police say that Simon Lastrapes was last seen on July 8, 2013, when he reportedly ran away from family members.
Officials with OPD say that St. Landry Sheriff's deputies confirmed the identity of the skull and notified the department.
St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says foul play isn't being considered as a factor in the identification of a skull.
Guidroz says, "It happened in 2013 and he's been missing for seven years, until the skull was found."
In a statement to KATC, Simon Lastrapes' family says they have closure.
The St. Landry Sheriff's office confirmed to them that a skull found in October of last year was in fact their loved one.
Guidroz says, "Lastrapes decided to go outside for some reason, but never returned and that was the last time his family saw him."
That was at a restaurant in Opelousas on Heather Drive; the skull was found almost four miles away.
Because of the time that has passed, foul play cannot be determined.
"It was in the water for seven years so as far as we know, we can't tell whether if there was anything abnormal about the skull," said Guidroz.
The sheriff says they will continue their search for Lastrapes' remains in the spring when the water levels in the canal go down.
