Remains in wall identified as NY woman JoAnn Nichols missing since 1985

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/02/remains-in-wall-identified-as-new-york-woman-missing-since-185/
Remains in wall identified as New York woman missing since 1985
July 2, 2013

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – A skeleton found walled-up in a dead man's junk-filled basement has been identified as the man's wife, a first-grade teacher whom he reported missing more than 27 years ago.

James Nichols died of natural causes in December at the age of 82. Police found his body after neighbors said they hadn't seen him for days. With no relatives coming forward to claim the body or deal with the estate, county officials buried the IBM retiree and hired a contractor to clean out the house, which was stuffed with hoarded items and trash.

On Friday, the contractor found the skeleton sealed in a plastic container behind a false wall.

The Dutchess County medical examiner's office identified the remains Monday as those of JoAnn Nichols, based on dental records. Dr. Kari Reiber says the 55-year-old woman died from a blow to the head.

Police say the cold case has now been reopened and new evidence is being examined in the lab.

"We did a complete investigation," Detectives Capt. Paul Lecomte said Tuesday. "We did have some unanswered questions regarding him."

According to Poughkeepsie Journal archives, JoAnn Nichols taught her last day of school on Dec. 20, 1985. She didn't show up for a hair appointment the next day, and that afternoon, a minister called police on James Nichols' behalf to report her missing.

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