Authorities seek clues in death of Iraq War veteran - KMSP-TV

Authorities hope that the identification of the remains of a war veteran reported missing six years ago will lead to clues in his death.

Jason Roark disappeared back in 2006. He was last seen on surveillance camera a year after returning home from war at a Gwinnett County motel in November of 2006. His vehicle was found at a rest area in Morgan County shortly after his disappearance.

Human remains found a year ago in Morgan County were identified by DNA as Roark, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office said on Friday.

Authorities say that they are starting from scratch with the investigation, interviewing any potential witnesses and pouring through cell phone records and surveillance video.

Roark's mother, Terry, said the family a memorial service two years ago when they gave up hope of Roark or his killer ever being found.

"Even when Jason was in Iraq, Jay would call us every day," said Terry Roark.

Investigators say they know the cause of death and classify it as a homicide.

"Six years somebody still has to remember or know something that's happened," said Terry Roark.

Now as the country observes Veterans Day, the Roarks are finally preparing to bury their son later this week – six years after someone took his life.

"He served two tours, never got a scratch on him and then to come back home and in less than a year someone take his life -- it's senseless," said Terry Roark.

Terry Roark says she still believes the killer will be caught and that her son's body being identified is the first step to finding justice.

"I guess I just need for them to pay for what they did and I need for them to realize that taking someone's life means something. It means something to us, it means something to his friends," said Terry Roark.

Investigators in Morgan County say the key in this investigation is for someone who knows something to step forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at (706) 342-1000.