BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      The Boardman Police Department is continuing an investigation into the homicide 50 years ago of 12-year-old Bradley Bellino, whose body was found in a dumpster behind the Boardman Plaza on Apr. 4, 1972. Bellino was a fifth grade student in the Boardman Local Schools at the time of his murder.
      A belt (from JCPenney) was found strapped around his neck. The strap bore teeth marks; and body fluid, not Bellino’s, was later discovered on the boy’s pants.
      On Apr. 12, 1972, then Mahoning County Coroner Dr. David Belinky ruled Bellino’s death was the result of strangulation. Dr. Belinky said the interval between the onset of death and actual death was “sudden,” and suggested the lad may have been sexually molested.
      Three years ago, police contracted with Parabon Nanolabs, of Reston, Va. to conduct snapshot, genetic genealogy analysis of DNA evidence, including body fluids.
      “DNA testing has continued since that time and we have been collecting the DNA of potential suspects,” Capt. Albert Kakascik of the Boardman police Department told The Boardman News.
      After an intensive investigation following the discovery of the body, for years the investigation into the Bellino murder stood dormant, until 2001, when the Boardman Police Department revisited the case but could not develop any new leads. However, sources suggest a list of at least 20 possible suspects had been developed, and several search warrants were served on possible suspects, to no avail.
      “Only four or five of those people seemed to stand out,” Capt. Kakascik said.
      50 years ago, 12-year-old Bradley Bellino, of 61 McClurg Rd., left home at noon, apparently walking to the home of a friend, Donald Templeton, 733 Teakwood Dr., in Applewood Acres.
      A criminal complaint obtained by The Boardman News says about 7:30 p.m. on Mar. 31, the boy failed to return home, and the following day, Debbie Bellino notified police about 3:20 p.m. that Bradley was missing.
      Three days later, at 8:02 a.m. on Apr. 4, employees of Varie Bros. Trash Co. called police saying they found a body in a dumpster behind the Boardman Plaza.