Police said they have discovered the remains of a 22-year-old woman who went missing five years ago.
When Illinois’s Downers Grove resident Cheyann Klus vanished in December 2017, officials continued to search for her.
The year she went missing, Klus’s last known communication was with a friend in Chicago.
Authorities claim that she visited the city and was sighted on the evening of December 1, 2017.
After Klus’s remains were discovered, her family released a statement on Sunday.
“We have been looking for Cheyann, and information related to her disappearance, since she went missing over 5 years ago,” Klus’s sister Mariah said.
“While it was not the news we were hoping for, we have received confirmation from law enforcement that Cheyann’s remains were found.”
According to authorities, Klus’ relatives last saw her there on November 27, 2017.
According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, last week, authorities used dental records to positively identify Klus’s remains.
It is currently unknown what caused Klus’s death and how he passed away.
After learning that Klus might have been in the area around the time she was last seen, police conducted two searches of the Mallard Lake Forest Preserve in Hanover Park.
Authorities conducted their initial search on December 22, 2017, however they were unsuccessful.
The second search was subsequently conducted with the assistance of more than 100 people and five dogs, but she was unable to be discovered.
Where and how Klus’s remains were discovered are unknown.
Mariah added in her Facebook post: “As her immediate family [father, sisters, brothers, nephews] is mourning, we ask for privacy as we grieve the unbearable loss of a daughter, sister, aunt, and a human being.”
“We plan to hold a private memorial service for Cheyann amongst us, but we hope that everyone can find solace in knowing that she has been found and respectfully laid to rest.”
