STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Monroe County officials held a press conference to update on the Stephen Lepore missing person investigation.

Lepore from Tobyhanna was reported missing to the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department in August of 2012.

On October 1, 2012, Lepore’s housemate told investigators Lepore had been involved in several verbal disputes over a $15,000.00 debt.

On October 16th through October 18th, 2023 during a search of property located at 95 Peet Road, Dreher Township, Wayne County. Human remains were recovered and subsequently identified as Lepore.

“Detectives were assigned and that began the 11-year journey to where we stand here today finally having positive identification on Mr. Lepore,” said Detective Craig Vanlouvender, Monroe County

The coroner said the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the back of the head and the manner is death has been ruled a homicide.

“This is Brian Sonny Hewson he is the one who provided information to us that was able to lead us to the recovery of the remains,” Vanlouvender added.

Two men assisted detectives in the homicide of Lepore, Brian Hewson, and Kip Morgan. Officials did not say if the two men were suspects in the case.

“This is Kip Morgan. He was implicated by Mr. Hewson as being involved in the disappearance,” Vanlouvender continued.

Hewson and Morgan gave investigators the necessary information to locate Lepore’s remains in Wayne County and confirmed the murder weapon was a .38 Caliber Taurus Revolver, stated law enforcement.

Officials said the area where Lepore’s remains were discovered happened to be on the property where Hewson’s mother used to live.

“A 38-caliber Taurus revolver was recovered. I think it was back in 2014-2015 in new york city as a part of this investigation,” stated Vanlouvender.

Officials stated no charges have been filed for the homicide of Lepore. The attorney’s office did note that Hewson is in custody in the state of Florida.

After 11 years the new findings are bringing officials more answers in the investigation and bringing Lepore’s family some closure.

There’s still a lot of work to be done and the investigation is open and ongoing. 28/22 news will continue to bring you the latest updates.

You can watch the full press conference regarding Stephen Lepore’s murder case in the video block below.