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North Vernon man charged after allegedly killing, burning man

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NORTH VERNON — A North Vernon man is facing several charges after a man missing since March was found dead, state police say.

The arrest comes after detectives located parts of Brian Kirby's body throughout Jennings County, Indiana State Police Sgt. Stephen Wheeles said in a press release.

In March, a Silver Alert was issued for the missing 52-year-old man.

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Alan Joseph Marantos, 34, was served an arrest warrant Thursday for murder, robbery, aggravated battery, abuse of a corpse, obstruction of justice, and intimidation, Wheeles said. He was charged on April 2 with robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, according to online court records.

Marantos was also preliminary charged with possession of methamphetamine, resisting law enforcement, and leaving the scene of a crash, stemming from his April arrest, Wheeles said. Formal charges have not been filed, according to online court records.

Marantos attacked Kirby at a home, put his body in a vehicle, and went to another location, detectives say. He then burned Kirby's body and put the remains in several places in Jennings County.

Members of the ISP Laboratory determined the DNA of the recovered remains matched Kirby's DNA, Wheeles said.

Several agencies assisted Indiana State Police detectives with the investigation.