Remains found in Illinois identified as woman missing since 2008, authorities says

SPRINGFIELD, ILL (WICS/WRSP) — Skeletal remains that were found in an Illinois home were identified as a woman who has been missing since 2008, authorities said.

The Sangamon County Coroner confirmed the remains were identified Michelle R. Bianco, of Springfield.

Authorities said Bianco was reported missing more than 15 years ago in the Springfield area. After the post-mortem examination on Tuesday, the official cause and manner of death is still pending additional studies.

We're happy for the family that there is some closure here, at least her being found. Now, the next step is can we get them further closure by figuring out what happened and if if necessary, we hold somebody accountable," Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said.

Authorities said the Springfield Police Department was contacted by the resident of the home on Sunday at 1 p.m. The resident was remodeling and found a purse in the crawlspace under the house. The purse contained personal documents inside with the name “Michelle Bianco.”

Police knew the sheriff’s office had a missing person case on Bianco, and contacted the sheriff's office.

Deputies and detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation. Since the purse was found in the soil under the house, it was determined that Illinois State Police assist in processing the scene.

On Monday, state police began a forensic processing of the cellar. There, they discovered skeletal remains.

An anthropologist from the Illinois State Museum was requested to assist in the identification of the remains. After a positive identification that the bones were human, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon was contacted and responded to the scene and later identified the remains as Bianco.