BRUNSWICK — Brunswick police on Tuesday confirmed the identify of a man whose body was discovered Dec. 22 near railroad 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.

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

Graebe was last seen some time in October when he left his apartment building on Water Street after giving away his belongings, Deputy Chief Marc Hagan said today.

Brunswick police responded just after noon Dec. 22 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 the deceased man was in his 40s, but later revised that, saying he was likely 50 to 65 years old at the time of his death. Still later, they said he was likely even older, but had been unable to determine that due to decomposition of the body.

Continuing to search for his identity, detectives then said they also found a urinary catheter strapped to his leg.

After receiving a tip, detectives interviewed several neighbors, and one provided clothing from the man that contained fibers that the medical examiner’s office matched to DNA samples, Hagan said.

Rinaldi commended Brunswick detectives for “a great job” following up on more than 30 leads.

bbrogan@timesrecord.com