Human remains found in Cocke County confirmed to belong to Megan Maxwell

6:41 PM, Nov 5, 2010

Investigators have confirmed that human remains found Thursday in a rural area of Cocke County were those of missing teen Megan Maxwell.

Megan Maxwell was last seen on April 26, 2009. Her burning car was found on the side of the road.

At a press conference Friday afternoon, Sheriff Armando Fontes announced that the long search for the 19-year-old was finally over.

"Now this sufferering family can have some closure," said Sheriff Fontes.

At the press conference, investigators released more details about the discovery of Maxwell's body.

A man walking his dog along Ponderosa Road discovered a human skull, then contacted authorities. After searching the area, investigators said they found a "large portion" of human remains, along with clothing that matched the description of what Maxwell was wearing when she was last seen 19 months ago. Investigators also said the remains were not buried. They were found just over 5 miles from where Maxwell's car was discovered.

Investigators will not talk about the circumstances of how Maxwell died, but confirmed it was a homicide.

Newport Police Chief Maurice Schultz said the discovery of the body would help in their investigation into Maxwell's death, and finding and convicting the person responsible. He would not name any suspects.

No arrests have ever been made in connection with Maxwell's disappearance, though Jeffrey Lee Stock has been called the top suspect. He is now serving time for failing to register as a sex offender when he moved to Tennessee.