Cedar Rapids native's body found in Ohio

CEDAR RAPIDS - Authorities have launched a homicide investigation after the body of a Cedar Rapids native was found near a quarry outside Cedarville, Ohio.

Curtis G. Miller, 38, was found dead June 10 in the remote area east of Dayton after authorities received an anonymous phone call about where the body was located. He had last been seen over Memorial Day weekend. The body was positively identified as Miller's on Friday.

Miller's aunt, Shirley Thompson of Cedar Rapids, said her nephew was found bound and wrapped in a blanket. She said authorities have told the family only that he died of “traumatic” injuries.

“It's just shocking,” Thompson said. “You lose people, but to murder? I don't know what goes through people's minds. He was such a good boy. I don't know what he could have possibly done.”

Maj. Eric Spicer of the Greene County Sheriff's Office in Ohio said the area where Miller's body was found is a place where people might sneak in and go fishing. He said authorities are unsure who placed the anonymous call.

Miller spent most of his life in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Metro High School in 1991, Thompson said. He had been living in Springfield, Ohio, the past couple years, after spending a few years in Algona, Iowa.

Thompson said she last spoke to her nephew about a year ago. She said he seemed to be succeeding with his hope of starting over in Ohio.

“He was doing good,” Thompson said. “He had started a pet sanctuary for rescuing animals.”

Spicer said anyone with information about people Miller might have been around or places he was known to frequent is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at (937) 562-4810.

Family members are planning a memorial service for Miller to be held Saturday in Central City.