DNA Test Confirm Body Is Of Woman Who Vanished 23 Years Ago

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Pottawattamie County investigators said a body found earlier this year in a barrel solves a 23-year-old mystery.

DNA analysis from an FBI lab showed that the remains were those of 28-year-old Lois Tomich, of Council Bluffs. Tomich was reported missing in November 1983 by her father.

Mushroom hunters found the remains in a 55-gallon barrel north of Council Bluffs near the Pottawattamie County Jail in May.

Tomich was divorced and the mother of one daughter who is now 28 years old, authorities said. Investigators said they took DNA from the daughter to use in a new type of analysis called mitochondrial DNA testing. The test was done in a crime lab in Minnesota.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said this one of the first times this lab has used this particular test.

"Any information we can get now -- this case is 23 years old. All we have is what was found out there, so, yes. This case is going to be tough," Danker said.

Investigators are not saying how Tomich died, but said they are confident she was murdered.

Anyone with information about Tomich or the case is asked to call a tip line at 877-414-1031 or 402-616-5065.

Tomich's family still lives in the Omaha metro area. Danker said his investigators spoke with them on Wednesday morning, and said that this is an emotional time for them.