CINCINNATI — Christel Lacinak is struggling to accept the outcome of the search for her son, Brandon.
>> EARLIER COVERAGE: Body found in demolished house near Gem City Market identified as missing man
Crews working to demolish a house in the 400 block of Salem Avenue in Dayton on Monday discovered the decomposing remains of a human. The remains were in such poor condition that investigators could not determine whether what was found was male or female.
The house, which was near the Gem City Market, burned in January. Something inside her told her she would never see Brandon alive again.
Thursday, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office identified the remains as that of 31-year-old Brandon Lacinak.
“I’m grateful for their closure after a four-month search,” she said.
As News Center 7′s Malik Patterson reported at 11, Christel Lacinak recalled that a former girlfriend mentioned that her son was in that rubble.
“I kind of knew from the beginning he was gone,” she said. “I know my son. . . January twentieth was the last time I spoke with him.”
Brandon was in Dayton going through drug rehabilitation, she said, noting he battled addiction for more than a decade.
The addiction began after cancer claimed his sister, mom said, and later he suffered a head injury after attempting to take his life.
The last time they spoke, she said, “I never heard a soul so broken in my life. It just happened to be my son.”
These days, she said she has chosen to dwell on the good memories about Brandon, who always made people laugh and was very giving even though he had nothing.
Mom Lacinak also said she plans to try and help other mothers who have lost children.
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