A family member recently found closure after state police identified the remains of a woman who had likely been missing since 2014, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.

The skeletal remains of the woman were found in Ridley Creek State Park by a hiker on a cold New Year’s Day back in 2016.

The woman was estimated to be between 30 and 45, fully clothed, wearing cold-weather attire.  It was estimated the remains had been at the site for about two years before being found by the hiker, according to forensic reports.

Pennsylvania State Police identified the remains Wednesday. The woman’s name is being withheld at the request of the family.

Numerous investigators tried to solve the case over seven years, reviewing missing persons reports and following up on tips.

“However, despite all these efforts, the investigation had reached an impasse,” said Capt. Gerry McShea, Commanding Officer of Troop K, Philadelphia.

In Spring 2022, a Forensic Investigative Genealogy team made an in-house positive identification based on DNA samples from the woman’s bones. 

That led them to a sister and other family members in the Philadelphia area.

An investigation is continuing into the cause of death. 

Read more about this missing woman’s identity in the Daily Times.

CBS 3 Philadelphia reports on the DNA forensic investigation.