Body Found At Cherry Island Landfill Identified

PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) – The Newark Police Department has released the name of the victim discovered at the Cherry Island Landfill on New Year's Eve.

The victim has been identified as 66-year-old John P. Wheeler, 3rd of the 100 Block of West 3rd Street in New Castle, Delaware.

Wheeler's death has been ruled a homicide and police believe based on the autopsy that the body was not in the trash bin for a long time.

Newark police have joined the investigation because police say the truck's stops Friday morning were all made at trash bins near College Square and East Main Street in Newark.

The Newark Police Department is asking for the public's assistance regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Wheeler from Tuesday, 12/28/2010 through Friday, 12/31/2010.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Nicholas Sansone at 302-366-7110 ext. 135.

The investigation is ongoing.

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