COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Skeletal remains found last month on a golf course in Perry Township have been positively identified as Danny Sanders, a high school student reported missing in 2005. The cause of death has been ruled a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Danny Sanders was a senior at Worthington Kilbourne High School when he walked out of his house on February 5, 2005.  Perry Township Police Chief John Petrozzi says the Sanders family did not report Danny missing for 10 days.

“At that point they just believed he had left the Central Ohio area and weren’t sure where he may have gone,” Petrozzi said.

Some local residents discovered the skeletal remains last month while out on a weekend hike. The remains were in some thick brush and woods about 30 yards off the fairway and about 100 yards from the back door of the Sanders family home.

Three months after Danny Sanders’ disappearance, his father reported that his handgun was missing. Police say that same gun was found next to the skeletal remains.

With the coroner’s report, Chief Petrozzi says the case is closed.

“I think it’s extremely important for the family to have that closure,” Petrozzi said. “I think it’s important for our community to understand that this was not a homicide and it is closed and our community is safe.”