Ontario police have confirmed that human remains found inside a car in Lake Ontario earlier this year belong to a former prison guard who had been missing for over 40 years.

According to investigators, while pulling a vehicle out of the lake in January, they stumbled upon another car nearby containing human remains. They have since established that the remains belong to David Hannah, who was reported missing in 1983 at the age of 36.

Hannah was employed at the Millhaven Federal Institution in Bath, Ontario, a maximum-security prison, at the time of his disappearance. His blue 1969 Oldsmobile Delta 88 was also reported missing along with him.

In 2011, police announced a $50,000 reward for any information leading to his killer. Hannah hailed from Amherstview, a township located on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

This discovery brings a long-awaited closure to Hannah’s family and friends who have been searching for answers for over 40 years. Police have not yet disclosed any further details on the investigation, but this breakthrough gives hope that other missing person cases may also find resolution.