Bones Found in Hammond Identified as Missing Woman

Human bones found on the site of a former bait and tackle shop in Hammond, Ind., have been identifed, police said Thursday.

The remains belong to Francine Carlson, 38, who has been missing since 1999.

The bones were exhumed and examined last year by an anthropology and biology professor and his students from the University of Indianapolis after a Rottweiler unearthed a finger with a gold ring Oct. 5. The remains were discovered near the former Great Lakes Bait and Tackle, at 1718 Indianapolis Blvd.

During the investigation, police were approached by several people with missing loved ones.

Leads were narrowed down, and a DNA sample was collected from Carlson's son. The son's DNA matched that of the bones, and Carlson's family was notified Tuesday.

The publication notes Carlson originally was from Chicago and was living in the Whiting-Robertsdale area when she was reported missing on June 7, 1999.

Her cause of death is undetermined, police said, though there are persons of interest.

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