Carbon County Chief Deputy Coroner Jason T. Smith has released the name of the man whose body was found in the area of area of Panther Creek and the #9 Coal Mine in Lansford.

Smith said the body of Noel C. Jones, 59, of Lansford was found at 2:44 p.m. Saturday.

He was pronounced deceased at 5:22 p.m.

Smith said he was identified through fingerprint analysis by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Disaster Victim Identification Squad.

Jones was reported missing, from Lansford Borough, on Nov. 20, 2025.

An autopsy was completed on Tuesday by Forensic Pathology Associates at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensic Center. The cause and manner of death remain pending further forensic and toxicological investigation.

The Carbon County Coroner’s Office, in coordination with the Pennsylvania State Police, Lansford Borough Police Department, and the Carbon County District Attorney’s Office, remains actively engaged in the investigation of this incident.

Additional agencies assisting with this investigation included the Carbon County Emergency Management Agency, American Fire Company #1 of Lansford, and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensics Center.

Additional information, if warranted, will be released following the completion of further forensic and toxicology testing.