The remains of a 30-year-old Lincoln, Nebraska, mother who had been missing for 18 months were recovered 206 miles away in a rural shed-like farmhouse.
Jerica Hamre was reported missing last year on July 3 after her family had not heard from her since June 25. Her body was subsequently found in Furnas County on Dec. 17.
Hamre’s death is being investigated as a homicide, and law enforcement is in the process of determining how and when she died and who is responsible for ending her life.
The couple had been acting as the guardians of Hamre’s children.
Thousands of people shared about her disappearance on social media, called in tips, and kept her story in the news, according to the LPD.
“We do have a person of interest in this case, who is already in custody on unrelated charges, and there is no ongoing threat to the community,” Lincoln police officials added.
It was only after the Furnace County Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene that they were able to confirm that the remains were human.
“The effort of searching over a thousand square miles of timber lakes, rivers, and farmland was daunting and never ended as the commitment to find her was unwavering,” Miller said. “The work, the community, volunteers, friends, family members, and law enforcement did to find Jerica was nothing short of amazing.”
LPD investigators suspected the deceased body belonged to Hamre and notified her family.
An autopsy led to confirmation on Dec. 19 that the deceased remains were those of Hamre.
“This is always a harder time around the holidays, but from the prosecutions standpoint, our job is just beginning,” Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon told reporters. “We're looking at all the reports, and reviewing everything. With LPD and [Nebraska State Patrol] NSP, there's work yet to be done that they're doing.”