UPDATE: THE MISSING TEEN WAS FOUND LAST WEEK
(from today's WCSH6 web site report)
BUXTON (NEWS CENTER) -- Police in Buxton have confirmed that the body found in the Saco River last week is that of Coreen Wiese. The 15-year-old Buxton girl had been missing since November.
The announcement was made at a police press conference at the Buxton Town Hall Tuesday afternoon.
The positive identification puts an end to what has been a baffling mystery in the small town.
Wiese was last seen near this rest stop off Route 25 in Limington that runs along the Saco River. Her cell phone, an mp3 player and some etchings that include her name and the letters RIP were found under the Route 25 bridge. The etchings also included the date of her disappearance.
Some teenagers discovered her body about five miles away from the Limington location on Friday. The state medical examiner was awaiting DNA results before making a positive identification. The preliminary ID was made by comparing orthodontic work.
Sunday's autopsy revealed no significant injuries before death and the medical examiner concludes that the findings are all consistent with drowning. A determination as to manner of death will be made following toxicology tests and further investigation.
Shortly after the police press conference, Coreen Wiese's family issued the following statement:
"We now know that the body found in the Saco River is our beloved daughter Coreen.
We are deeply saddened with her loss, she is loved and missed by all.
We wish to thank the community of Buxton, all of Coreen's family and friends, the media, and law
enforcement personnel that have been so helpful with the search for Coreen during the past 6 months.
Because of all your help and God's will we are able to bring Coreen home."
Wesley and Cynthia Wiese
NEWS CENTER & The Associated Press