( CNN ) -- Skeletal remains found in the chimney of an Abbeville , Louisiana , bank two months ago have been identified as those of a local man who had n't been seen in 27 years . The remains are those of Joseph W. Schexnider , who vanished at age 22 in January 1984 , Abbeville police Lt. David Hardy told CNN . Schexnider 's disappearance was noted after he failed to show up for a court hearing on a charge of possession of a stolen vehicle . When officers showed up at his home to take him in to custody , Schexnider 's mother said he had fled to avoid arrest . The remains were discovered in May when construction workers were doing renovations on the main branch of the Bank of Abbeville , a historic building that sits on the main square in the southwestern Louisiana town of 25,000 people . Tests done at a Louisiana State University forensics lab established the remains were those of Schexnider . The cause of death was likely dehydration and starvation , Hardy said . Foul play was not suspected and the case is closed , he said . But why Schexnider was in the chimney remains a bit of a mystery . Hardy told reporters that Schexnider had gloves and a cigarette lighter on him , but no bag or anything to indicate he planned to carry loot from the bank . Even if Schexnider had planned a burglary , the chimney would not have gotten him into the bank . Hardy said the fireplace that the chimney vented had no large opening at the bottom from which he could have emerged . How could the remains have gone unnoticed for 27 years ? One , Schexnider had a history of running away , once even joining a traveling circus , Hardy said , so even his family was not actively looking for him . Two , the chimney opens on to the second floor of the red-brick bank building in Abbeville , Hardy said , and for decades the second floor had been used mainly for storage . Schexnider 's family is not commenting on the case , Hardy said .
Joseph W. Schexnider died at age 22 , when he was facing a motor vehicle charge . The remains were discovered in 2007 by workers doing work on the school building . The hole was too small at the bottom for him to gain entry into the building , they say .