Human remains that were found in a wall in a Poughkeepsie, New York home belong to a woman who was reported missing by her husband in December 1985.
According to The Poughkeepsie Journal, Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that remains found in a home Friday belonged to JoAnn Nichols. Medical Examiner Dr. Kari Reiber said that teeth found with the remains matched Nichols’ dental records. The home had belonged to her and her husband, James Nichols, who was the one who reported her missing. He died in December 2012.
The Associated Press reports that Reiber said Nichols, who was 55 at the time of her disappearance, died of a blow to the head.
While police will continue to investigate the case, The Journal also spoke with neighbors who believe that James may have been responsible for his wife’s death. They describe him as a man with strange behaviors and a hoarder.
“The guy was a hoarder. He literally had seven or eight of those Dumpsters in his backyard, also filed with stuff,” neighbor Al Delaney told the paper. Judy Wyskida added, “It was scary living next door. I didn’t trust him.”
As for the family of the schoolteacher, they are still waiting for answers. Her brother in law, Bennett Jay Johnson, told the Journal that they have been talking with police.