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DNA Helps Identify Possible Murder Victim In Cold Case

SALIDA, Colo. (CBS4)- The cold case disappearance of Beverly England turned active this week after new DNA samplings confirmed bones found in the nearby mountains in 1992 were those of the missing Salida woman who was last seen in 1980.

The case captivated people living in the small town for years, as rumors and theories about what happened to Beverly, then 32, circulated.

England was reported missing in 1980 by her husband after she failed to return home that same evening. The Salida Police Department was notified and launched an investigation into her disappearance immediately.

England was last seen alive in Salida with another female.

Numerous persons were interviewed during the investigation and England was listed as a missing person, however she was not located and investigators ran out of leads.

SALIDA COLD CASE beverly England
Beverly England (credit: CBS)

But then in September the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office and the Salida Police Department were notified by the University of North Texas that they had confirmed that a set of bones had matched DNA belonging to Beverly.

These bones were recovered from the Mount Shavano area in 1992 and turned over to the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office at that same time. These same bones were submitted to a forensic pathologist for examination and through advanced DNA technology a positive id was made matching that of Beverly.

With this notification the Chaffee County Sherriff's Office and the Salida Police Department re-opened the investigation into the disappearance of Beverly. The site where the bones were discovered was identified and at this time is being excavated for evidence by investigators.

SALIDA COLD CASE
CBS4's Matt Kroschel talks with Chaffee County Sheriff John Speeze (credit: CBS)

Through this investigation several key items of evidence have been recovered which led investigators to believe that Beverly was murdered.

With the identification of Beverly, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office and the Salida Police Department formed a task force made up of investigators assigned primarily to the suspicious death.

Both Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze and Salida Police Chief Terry Clark tell CBS4 they are putting their full resources and support into this investigation.

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.

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