The remains of two missing Illinois men who disappeared nearly 50 years ago have been found in a car pulled from a river, the coroner’s office confirmed.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office reported that skeletal remains found in a 1966 Chevrolet Impala submerged in the Pecatonica River belonged to Clarence Owens and Everett Hawley. WIFR.
Owens, 65, and Hawley, 75, were last seen at a farm auction near the Winnebago-Ogle County line on Feb. 19, 1976, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
The car involved in the case was found in the river in March. The coroner’s office said the cause of death is unknown, but no foul play is suspected.
“This brings us one step closer to resolving the issues facing the families of Clarence Owens and Everett Hawley who have waited years for answers and have been devastated by this tragic case,” said Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana.
Officials said skeletal remains found in a 1966 Chevrolet Impala submerged in the Pecatonica River belonged to two men who went missing nearly 50 years ago
Clarence Owens, 65, and Everett Hawley, 75, were last seen at a farm auction near the Winnebago-Ogle County line on February 19, 1976.
“This is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our investigators and forensic experts. It is a reminder that no case is ever truly closed, no matter how much time has passed.”
The two men were business partners and were last seen between 2:40 and 3 p.m. at an agricultural auction, authorities said. WTVO.
Earlier that day, they attended a political rally for gubernatorial candidate James Thompson at the American Legion in Pecatonica. Afterward, they stopped at Rocky’s Cafe and visited Owen’s son, who lived nearby.
The next day, the two men missed an appointment in German Valley and were reported missing.
In March, a fisherman told authorities that his sonar equipment detected a car in the Pecatonica River, near E. First and Washington streets.
In March, a fisherman found his car on sonar and authorities found more than 100 human bones from two people
Winnebago County Coroner Jennifer Muraski (pictured) said it took longer than expected to identify the remains because they had been underwater for so long.
Video footage shows divers and crew members using a crane to remove the 1966 Chevrolet Impala.
Officials found more than 100 bones belonging to at least two people, and Winnebago County Coroner Jennifer Muraski confirmed in May that the remains belonged to two men.
“That made it very difficult for the forensic anthropologist to do her job because they were underwater for so long, and it was also stressful for those trying to extract the DNA,” Muraski said.
“But they did it, and that’s why it took a little longer than we had hoped.”