Remains Found in Car in Illinois River Identified as 2 Men Who Vanished in 1976, Coroner Says

Remains Found in Car in Illinois River Identified as 2 Men Who Vanished in 1976, Coroner Says
Police tape in a file photo. Mark Makela/Getty Images
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ROCKFORD, Ill.—DNA testing on skeletal remains found in a car pulled from an Illinois river confirmed they are those of two men who vanished in 1976 after leaving a farm auction, authorities said.

Testing performed by the Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services confirmed they are the remains of Clarence Owens and Everett Hawley, the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office said Tuesday.