Agent: Human remains found in SE Iowa are female

The remains were found just outside of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. (Graphic: Omaha World Herald)

IOWA CITY, Iowa (Globe Gazette) — An examination of human remains discovered in southeastern Iowa last month has determined they were of a young woman who likely died last year.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation announced Thursday that an anthropologist’s report found the bones were of a female between ages 24 and 32.

DCI special agent Jeff Uhlmeyer says the estimated age and height matches the profile of Jackie Lee Douthart of Mount Pleasant, who has been missing since May, but it’s too soon to know whether the remains are hers.

He says the state crime lab will try to develop a DNA profile that could be checked against the profiles of Douthart and other missing persons to try to make an identification.

He says investigators are still trying to determine the cause of death.