The human remains found while police were searching in a series of tunnels late last month in Vancouver were identified as that of the missing man who had been digging for treasure there the year before.

The Clark County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the body found under about 25 feet of dirt was that of James Moore. Authorities said he had mental problems and was known to dig with a shovel and pick, hoping to find buried treasure.

The 46-year-old was reported missing in November of 2007 and in late March, crews used excavating machines to dig into a hillside where Moore was known to have dug. They found his body along with clothing, a broken shovel and lumber apparently used to shore up the tunnels.

Authorities were digging with hand shovels as well as a back hoe, excavator and vacuum truck while search dogs sniffed for clues to the whereabouts of Moore's body. The search site was located near the Discovery Trail and just north of SR-500 and east of St. Johns Boulevard.

Police said while there has never been any report of treasure hidden in that area, yet family members told them that Moore thought there was.

People who frequent the Discovery Trail said they remembered seeing Moore there and back in January, cadaver dogs actually flagged the area as well.

"Moore suffers from mental health issues and in the past has been known to dig very deep tunnels looking for treasure,” added detective Kim Kapp with the Vancouver Police Department.

(KGW reporter Keely Chalmers also contributed to this article.)