In the late autumn of 2022, concern began to grow for the well-being of 46-year-old William Lee Campbell. He was last seen on November 14, 2022, in his hometown of Hamilton, Ohio. In the days and weeks that followed, there was no contact from Campbell, and his whereabouts remained a complete mystery to those who knew him. The Hamilton Police Department was informed of his disappearance in December 2022 and initiated a missing person investigation.
Early in the investigation, detectives worked to gather personal information that might aid in locating him, including his medical and dental records. They also obtained a DNA sample from a family member for comparison should the need arise. Despite these efforts, the investigation yielded few leads, and for a long time, the case grew cold, leaving his family with unanswered questions.
The case took a significant and somber turn in August 2025, nearly three years after William Campbell was last seen. A third-party contractor was performing routine maintenance on the sewer system near the intersection of Third Street and Market Street in Hamilton. While using a video inspection camera, the contractor made a startling discovery that appeared to be a human skull. Authorities were immediately notified, and investigators from the Hamilton Police Department and the Butler County Coroner's Office responded to the scene. A detective and a coroner's investigator descended into the sewer system to document the area and recover the human remains.
The recovered remains were sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for extensive analysis. After several months of testing, a DNA profile was successfully obtained from the remains. This profile was a positive match to William Lee Campbell. The familial DNA sample that had been collected from his family member at the beginning of the investigation provided a secondary confirmation of the identity. Following this definitive identification, official reports confirmed that William Campbell had been found deceased. The focus of the investigation has now shifted to determining the circumstances surrounding his death. The Butler County Coroner’s Office is working to establish the cause and manner of death, while the Hamilton Police Department continues to investigate the details of how he came to be in the sewer system. The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to search the sewer system for any further evidence that might provide clarity and answers for his family. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Hamilton Police Department.Last Seen: Nov 14, 2022
