The residents of Buffalo, New York were faced with a distressing revelation on Friday, April 12, 2024, when the body of 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin was discovered in the attic of a South Buffalo residence after he went missing almost four years ago.

Griffin was last spotted on August 4, 2020, near his Warren Avenue home as he set off for a nearby corner store, a journey from which he never returned.

His body was discovered by a maintenance worker conducting regular inspections in an apartment complex. Dental records were used to confirm the identity of the remains found in the attic, located roughly 4.5 miles away from Griffin’s home. The local police corroborated details regarding the grim discovery.

The unsettling discovery has deeply impacted the Buffalo community, especially given the known history of the house at 107 Sheffield Avenue, which has been frequently visited by local law enforcement due to various issues. The neighbors, despite being accustomed to the house’s constant changing of residents and regular police visits, expressed their shock and grief, stating they had no inkling of the horrific secret hidden in the attic.

The confirmation of Griffin’s identification was officially delivered by Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia of the Buffalo Police Department, who stated, “We are deeply saddened by this discovery and are committed to bringing justice to Jaylen and his family.”

The grim discovery has added to the series of unfortunate events that have befallen the Griffin family. Griffin’s mother, Joanne Ponzo, 48, urged her friends and family to keep searching for her son until her last days. She passed away in September, unaware of her son’s fate. Additionally, three months after Jaylen’s disappearance, his 18-year-old brother, Jawaan, was fatally shot, further compounding the family’s tragedies.

Pastor Tim Newkirk, who played a significant role in the search efforts for the Griffin family, shared his sorrow and determination at a local vigil: “We’ve found Jaylen, but now we need to find out what happened to him. This is not just a case of a missing boy; it’s a question of justice for a life cut tragically short.”

Buffalo police, in collaboration with Crime Stoppers, are stepping up their investigation. Crime Stoppers is offering a $7,500 reward for any information that helps resolve this case. Meanwhile, the community continues to rally together, organizing memorials and vigils to honor the memory of Jaylen and mark the distressing discovery of his remains.