Human remains discovered in West Price Hill, Ohio, have been identified as those of a woman who had been missing for nearly six months, according to officials.
Mercedes Southard’s body was found in a wooded area near Minion Avenue on July 30, according to CBS affiliate WKRC. Authorities confirmed her identity using dental records.
WKRC reported that a cause of death for the 31-year-old had not yet been released. The Cincinnati Police Department’s Homicide Unit is leading the investigation into her death.
In a social media post from April, Cincinnati police stated that the 31-year-old was last seen on Feb. 3 at approximately 3 p.m. Officers said she left her home in the West Price Hill area on foot and never came back. At the time, no additional details about her disappearance were made public.
Southard’s relatives told WKRC she was the mother of four children and described her as “the best mom.”
“We can’t sleep at night and we’re just thinking like, was she trafficked? Was she kidnapped? Did something happen to where she was just left?” Mindy Shelton, a family friend, told the outlet in June.
Southard’s family had been offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to her. Anyone with details about Southard’s case is asked to contact Cincinnati police at 513-263-8300.