Remains found in an underground pipe in a Little Rock park have been confirmed as those of an 18-year-old woman who went missing in 2015.
On Tuesday, police announced during a press conference that the remains could be those of Steppach, who disappeared in October 2015.
The remains were found near a memorial for Steppach, police said.
Steppach’s family released a statement on Wednesday after her remains were positively identified.
“They are thankful for the life they got to share with her and ask for continued support and prayers as they work through this difficult time,” the statement read.
The family thanked the numerous people involved in the investigation, including a Little Rock Cold Case Detective, Tommy Hudson, and members of the cold case unit, as well as the FBI.
“When she wasn’t at her grandmother’s house [the following day], that’s when thing started to get like, ‘Well, where is she?,'” Steppach’s stepdad, Michael Jernigan, told the station at the time.
Days after Steppach’s disappearance, her Volkswagen vehicle was found in Chalamont Park, the station reports.
At the time, Little Rock police believed Steppach ran away. But her family told local media they believed she was in danger.
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After Tuesday’s discovery, Steppach’s familyreleased a statementasking for privacy, THV11 reports.
The park has been searched multiple times since Steppach’s disappearance, police spokesman Officer Steve Moore said. It’s unclear what compelled investigators to search the pipe specifically on Tuesday.
Of the continuing investigation, Moore says, “We’ve never given up on this.”
source: people.com
