Zachary Kennedy

The remains of a former Butler County man were believed to have been found Thursday buried on the property of a home in Long Beach, Calif., according to relatives.

Zachary Kennedy, 32, a graduate of Butler High School, has been missing since late October.

Investigators including the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office are examining the remains and an identification is pending.

Kennedy is the son of Jeffrey Kennedy of the Saxonburg area and Kathleen Minto Iarrapino of Butler.

The remains were uncovered after Long Beach police went to the property with a search warrant. They reportedly suspected Kennedy was buried there.

The police investigation is continuing.

Kennedy grew up in the Knoch area and moved to California about 10 years ago.

“He was a really sweet, adorable kid,” said his aunt, Sue O'Donnell of Slippery Rock. “He wouldn't hurt a flea. He had a heart of gold.”