A man found dead Monday night in Slatington has been identified as a Walnutport man who had been missing for a month.
Coroner Daniel A. Buglio identified the man as 41-year-old Jesse James Rutt.
Rutt’s body was found Monday night in the water of an underground quarry in the 300 block of East Church Street in Slatington. He was pronounced dead about 11:30 p.m.
Troopers received information that a body might be found near Slate Heritage Trail in the borough, state police said in a news release Tuesday. The body was found in a cave there, authorities said.
Rutt’s cause and manner of death are pending additional investigation, Buglio said Thursday.
There is no threat to the community, police said.
Rutt , when he was seen in the Slatington and Walnutport area, according to authorities. State police are investigating the death.
Trooper Nathan Branosky, a state police spokesperson, said Thursday that in order to keep the integrity of the investigation, there would be no additional comment on it.
Rutt’s family created a Facebook page titled shortly after his disappearance in an attempt to find him.
On Thursday, they posted on the page that Rutt had been found, just days after his father’s death.
“We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire Northern Lehigh community for your graciousness, your help, and your dedication to wanting to bring Jesse home for us. Your support has been unwavering. When social media makes it easy for a few to hide behind a keyboard and say cruel things, the community has stepped up to defend our brother and family and we watched as numerous people told us how much they loved Jesse,” the statement reads in part.
“Jesse was our brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. He struggled with making choices, but he had the kindest soul. Jesse loved kids and animals and has a whole yard of animals who will miss him.”
The post said Rutt’s mother has gone through more in the past two days than anyone should ever have to. They asked for privacy while they grieve.
His family posted that the Facebook page will eventually be changed to one in Rutt’s memory.
