MCDONALD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have tentatively identified the woman found by a man on a bicycle alongside highway 59 between Lanagan and Noel as 25-year-old Jessica McCormack, according to a media release from the The McDonald County Sheriff’s Office.
Along with the body was a suitcase in which investigators believe she had been put in, according to the sheriff's department.
Jessica McCormack photo courtesy McDonald Co. Sheriff
According to friends, Jessica, has not been seen since around the middle of July, 2019.
After the initial discovery of the body, investigators followed several leads.
During the investigation, it was determined that a female from Noel, had not been heard from for approximately a month, but authorities were not notified by anyone of any concerns that she was missing.
As the investigation unfolded investigators began gathering information about Jessica to determine if she was the victim. Due to the condition of the body investigators were cautious not wanting to misidentify her.
Formal identification will not be complete until dental records and DNA samples are confirmed, but officials do have a DNA sample from a family member at this time to compare and trying to get dental comparison x-rays.
Her 3 missing children have been found and are safe, according to the sheriff's department.