SPRINGFIELD, IL – The skeletal remains discovered in a Springfield residence have been confirmed to belong to a woman who disappeared over a decade ago, according to local authorities.
The remains have been identified as Michelle Renee “Shelly” Bianco, who vanished in 2008. The identification process involved a post-mortem examination by a forensic pathologist and an anthropologist, as stated by Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon.
The cause and manner of Bianco’s death remain undetermined, with further investigation ongoing, Allmon announced on Tuesday.
The case has transitioned into a death investigation, according to Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell. Investigators are currently interviewing all individuals related to the case, aiming to shed light on this decade-long mystery.
Bianco’s remains were found in a Springfield home on Monday, following a police call regarding “personal items” discovered in a crawl space. Among these items was a purse containing documents bearing Bianco’s name, Campbell reported on Tuesday.
Bianco was last seen on April 5, 2008, in Springfield. She was walking with her cousin when a man in a black Pontiac offered her a ride. The man knew Bianco by name, which was reported by her cousin. A missing persons report was filed three days after Bianco’s disappearance. If alive today, Bianco would be 59 years old.