Decayed body found in the Falls identified

Niagara Falls Police have two men in custody in connection with a body found Tuesday.

Police say James Howard, 27, is charged with second degree murder and is being held without bail. Carl Hosmer, 29, is charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence and is being held in the Niagara County Jail.

Officials say they are confident the deceased is 44-year-old Daniel Sparks based on the evidence collected and the interviews conducted with several people. Erie County Medical Examiner is still working to confirm Sparks' identity through forensic testing.

Investigators say Sparks was reported missing on November 1, but relatives say they had not seen him since early October.

Police say the official cause of death is 27 stab wounds to Sparks' torso and upper leg area. Police believe he was killed close to the area where his remains were found, behind Cataract Steel on Mackenna Avenue.

Additional charges are pending and the investigation is ongoing, according to police.