LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Human remains found earlier this month in the Angeles National Forest were identified Thursday as a missing 25-year-old Glendale resident.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives have identified the remains as those of Nicolas Carter. Carter was reported missing on Jan. 7, officials said.

His remains were found on Jan. 19 by LASD detectives and the Montrose Search and Rescue Team near mile marker 2.72 on Big Tujunga Canyon Road, Deputy Kim Manatt said.

“The Coroner’s Office has determined the cause of death was from blunt force trauma,” she said.

The search for Carter initially began on Jan. 9 after a hiker reported a shallow grave near mile marker 2.92. An LASD search team was sent to that location and found blood, but not human remains.

Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the case as a homicide.

Anyone with information about the case should call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323)890-5500.