Remains ID'd as the missing Virginia woman

Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Heath Jackson said skeletal remains found Dec. 26, 2020, in Conecuh County have been positively identified as the remains of Shari Saunders who had left Norfolk, Va., on Aug 4, 2018, to travel to Monroeville to visit with family members.

Saunders' vehicle was found Aug. 13, 2018, on a dirt road off of Canaan Church Road in Conecuh County.

Jackson said a search of the area was completed by the Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe County sheriff's offices but Saunders was not located. Jackson noted investigators continued to search for Saunders, interviewed sources of information and followed up on leads and information that came in on a weekly basis.

On Dec. 26, 2020, skeletal remains were found in a wooded area off a gated private road that intersects with Canaan Church Road, where Saunders' vehicle was found.

Jackson said the remains were submitted for forensic testing and noted this week the remains have now been positively identified as the skeletal remains of Saunders. He added that additional evidence is being evaluated by other forensic labs and the sheriff's offices are focusing on particular suspects.

"We would like to thank the community for their willingness to help in bringing this case closer to being solved and ask that you report anything that might be of evidentiary value," Jackson said. "Please call the Escambia County Sheriff's Office at 251-809-0741 and ask for Inv. Deric Smith."