BRUNSWICK — Brunswick police today confirmed the identify of a man whose body was discovered Dec. 22 near train tracks along Bath Road.

The body of Raymond Graebe, 79, of Brunswick, and formerly of New York, was discovered hanging from a tree in a wooded area, Detective Sgt. Martin Rinaldi said this afternoon.

Rinaldi said the state medical examiner’s office ruled the cause of death as suicide by hanging.

Graebe left his apartment building in Brunswick some time in October after giving away his belongings, Rinaldi said. He was not seen again until Dec. 22.

Brunswick police responded just after noon that day to an area near Merrymeeting Plaza, where a man reported finding the body near a small campsite along the tracks.

Police found no identification, and initially estimated that the man was in his 40s, but later revised that, saying he was likely 50 to 65 years old.

Detectives later said they also found a urinary catheter strapped to his leg.

After receiving a tip, detectives interviewed several local residents who were able to provide enough details that police tentatively identified the man, Deputy Chief Marc Hagan said last week.

Rinaldi commended Brunswick detectives for ‘a great job” following up on more than 30 leads, ultimately obtaining a DNA sample that the medical examiner matched to samples provided.

bbrogan@timesrecord.com