The death of a Luzerne County man, whose body was found Sunday in Towamensing Trails, Penn Forest Township, is the victim of a homicide, state police at Hazleton said.

Samuel Vacante, 52, of 20 Coventry Road, Drums, was reported to be missing at 9:07 p.m. Aug. 31 to Butler Township police by his estranged wife.Vacante's vehicle, a 2014 Kia, was also missing. On Sept. 2, the vehicle was located abandoned on Eighth Street between Laurel and Wyoming Streets in Hazleton.On Sunday, Vacante's body was discovered at 4:52 p.m. in a wooded area off Petrarch Trail.An autopsy was performed Monday by Dr. Gary Ross, forensic pathologist, and the victim was positively identified as Vacante.The autopsy found the manner of death to be criminal homicide.State police, the Butler Township police and the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office are investigating.Anyone who may have had contact with Vacante on Aug. 31, or may have seen his vehicle, is asked to contact Lt. Robert Bartal at the Hazleton barracks, 570-459-3890.