Authorities say the remains of a movie executive who disappeared more than two years ago have been found.

Lt. Larry Dietz of the Los Angeles County coroner's office confirmed early Thursday that the remains of Gavin Smith have been positively identified.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's office says hikers discovered the remains in a rural area of Palmdale on Oct. 26.

Results of the autopsy have not been finalized.

Smith, who worked for 20th Century Fox, was last seen on May 1, 2012 and his disappearance has been investigated as a murder.

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Authorities said earlier they had found his car at a storage facility, and its condition along with witness statements led them to believe Smith was killed, though at that point his remains had not been found.

News reports earlier this year said that he had officially been declared dead.