MARTINSVILLE, Ind. -- Remains found in a wooded area of southern Morgan County this week are those of Jill Behrman, an Indiana University student who was reported missing nearly three years ago, authorities said at a press conference Thursday.
Indiana State Police 1st Sgt. Dave Bursten said dental records were used to identify the remains of the student, who was 19 when she was last seen in May 2000 in Bloomington.
Investigators previously said they suspected Behrman was slain at a creek near Bloomington in Monroe County, south of Morgan County. Bursten said this week's discovery means "the investigation starts afresh," but prior evidence is still valid and will be reviewed.
"Everyone that was a suspect is still a suspect, and we will be looking for any other additional people that may have any knowledge of Jill Behrman's death," Bursten said.
A spokesman for Behrman's parents told reporters that the family was told of the discovery around 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
"At this time, we don't have any answers to the obvious questions we all are asking," the family said in a statement. "Our deepest appreciation goes out to the hundreds and thousands of people in Bloomington, statewide and nationally who have joined us in this 34-month ordeal and kept Jill in their prayers."
A hunter and his son found the bones in a wooded area near Paragon Sunday, and a team has been searching the area throughout the week.
Searchers found some personal effects Tuesday, to go along with portions of a cranium, a jawbone, vertebrae, and extremity bones that were located in the area.
Police: Cause Of Death Not Conclusively DeterminedBursten said at Thursday's news conference that clues have been gleaned from the remains, but the cause of death has not been conclusively determined.
Details about what the remains reveal are being withheld, Bursten said.
"The only (other) people that know what injuries were sustained to Ms. Behrman are the people that were responsible for it. We're holding that information as an integral part of the investiagtion," Bursten said.
Authorities previously have said they believed Behrman was hit by a vehicle while she was riding her bike. Investigators theorized she was taken to Monroe County's Salt Creek, and then killed at the creek.
But the bones found Sunday were found in Morgan County, the county immediately to the north of Monroe County (see map, left).
Sources close to the investigation told RTV6 last month on condition of anonymity that authorities focused on Salt Creek after Wendy Owings, 28, confessed that she and two other people were in a truck that struck Behrman.
Owings and one of the people she allegedly implicated, Alisha Sowders, 21, are being held in the Monroe County Jail on charges not related to the Behrman case.
The second person Owings allegedly implicated, Uriah Clouse, was publicly identified by authorities as a suspect last year. Clouse is being held in the Brown County Jail on charges not related to the Behrman case.
On Thursday, Clouse's attorney, John Plummer III, told RTV6 the discovery of Behrman's remains in Morgan County casts doubt on investigators' theory.
No one has been charged in the Behrman case.
Authorities searched Salt Creek a number of times in 2002, including in September when investigators drained the waterway.
They said at the time that they found evidence in the case during the searches.
Authorities refused to reveal what they found, but sources told RTV6 the items included plastic, a large folding knife, and at least one bungee cord.
Investigation ContinuesBursten said he hopes the public can give investigators new information in light of the discovery of Jill Behrman's remains.
People with information can call the Putnamville state police post at (800) 225-8576 or the Morgan County Sheriff's Department at (765) 342-5544.
Previous Stories: - March 12, 2003: Evidence Found That Helps Bones Investigation
- March 10, 2003: Bone Discovery Catches Attention Of Missing Women's Parents
- March 10, 2003: Hunters Find Human Skull, Other Remains
- March 5, 2003: Behrman's Father: Meeting With Prosecutor 'Productive'
- February 27, 2003: Sources: Confession Led To Creek Search For Behrman
- December 20, 2002: Prosecutor Reviewing Evidence In Behrman Case
- October 11, 2002: Behrman Suspect Charged In 2001 Rape Case
- September 23, 2002: Officials Suspend Behrman Search
- September 17, 2002: Behrman Search Continues As Her Birthday Passes
- September 17, 2002: Behrman Investigators Find More Possible Evidence In Creek
- September 16, 2002: Possible Evidence Found In Behrman Case
- September 9, 2002: Behrman Investigators To Drain Portion Of Creek
- August 30, 2002: Agents Searching For Cars In Behrman Case
- August 1, 2002: Behrman Investigators Suspend Search Of Creek
- July 31, 2002: Behrman Search Resumes Thursday At Salt Creek
- May 31, 2002: Behrman Investigators: We're Looking For Pickup Truck
- May 31, 2002: Bloomington Marks Anniversary Of Behrman's Disappearance
- April 13, 2002: Behrman Suspect Faces New Charges
- April 12, 2002: Judge To Decide Bond For Man Investigated In Behrman Case
- April 10, 2002: Defense Attorney Links Jailed Man To Behrman Probe
- April 4, 2002: Detectives Theorize Behrman Was Hit Accidentally
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