A boy’s decomposing body was discovered in 2020, months after his mother passed away, with no idea what had become of him.

A 12-year-old boy’s lifeless body was discovered in an attic some months after his mother died, leaving her unaware of what had happened to her son.

Jaylen Griffin’s body was discovered in an upstate New York home’s attic last Friday. This is around five miles from his last known location, which was the Central Terminal neighborhood of Buffalo, on August 4, 2020.

A week before Jaylen would have turned sixteen, his body was discovered, police commissioner Joseph Gramaglia revealed during a press conference.

According to Mr. Gramaglia, they think the body has been “up there in the house” for a considerable period.

Joann Ponzo, Jaylen’s 48-year-old mother, passed away in September before learning what had become of her son. In 2021, she revealed to People that he vanished soon after walking his new puppy. He would carry people’s luggage and get change from them because we live close to a few stores, she claimed.

After a thorough search spanning several years, authorities responded to a complaint of a dead corpse at the residence earlier this month, according to the police.

The body had deteriorated to the point where dental records could establish the boy’s identification, even though they were unable to provide a precise time frame for its presence.

The death was declared a homicide by the medical examiner, but the police did not elaborate on how or why.

The boy’s body was discovered following an almost four-year investigation, which Mr. Gramaglia called “nothing short of a tragedy.” If there were any suspects or people of interest, he did not clarify.

A $7,500 reward is being offered by the police for information that results in the arrest or indictment of the guilty parties.

Jaylen was last observed in the Central Terminal neighborhood, leaving his house. Only a short drive away, at a house on the 100 block of Sheffield Avenue, his body was discovered.

As a result of her health failing after her son vanished, his mother passed away last year, according to Buffalo News.

According to the outlet, Jawann Griffin, Jaylen’s 18-year-old son, was shot and killed three months after her disappearance, just a short distance from his residence.

Bury the Violence founder Kareema Morris, who backed Ponzo and helped spread the word about Jaylen’s disappearance, said of her, “She struggled.” She exerted all of her knowledge. She cherished her offspring.

Ms. Morris also expressed to WKBW her belief that Ponzo passed away “from a broken heart” as a result of the tragedy.

After the discovery of his remains, Jaylen’s family and the Buffalo community came together to honor him this week at a birthday memorial.

Jaylen’s father, Brian Griffin, expressed his wish to WKBW that Ms. Ponzo had found closure before to her passing.

He remarked, “I got confirmation. I know they’re all together and it’s a blessing. I just wish she was here with me right now.” “Restoration is still a long way off; right now, all I’m looking for is justice.”

The boy’s family received condolences from the police commissioner.

Mr. Gramaglia added, “I do want to extend my sincere sympathies to the family of Jaylen.” “This department has conducted extensive searches, and I want Jaylen’s family to know that we are working diligently to bring the next closure for the family.”

Law enforcement requested that anybody with information that could result in the arrest or indictment of the person or people responsible for this event call Crime Stoppers WNY at 716 867 6161.

For more information, The Independent has been in touch with the Buffalo Police Department.