Authorities in Florida said that the skeletal remains found in a shallow grave off Ashton Court belonged to a Sarasota mother who went missing more than 16 years ago.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said that advancements in DNA technology helped them identify the bones as Jeana Burrus.
Burrus went missing when she was 39 years old leaving behind her young son and husband, James Burrus, who suddenly moved out of the county in 2006.
“They were just struggling at the time, and they had a very volatile relationship,” said Lt. Mark Lefebvre of the couple.
Jeann's remains were discovered in 2007 near an auto body shop where James worked: “The bones indicate it was not a natural cause of death.”
Calcium on the remains prevented investigators from pulling DNA for years and the case went cold until last November, when DNA Labs International Inc. took over the investigation.
“Once that calcium was removed, they now have a much readable, clear picture of a DNA example,” added Lefebvre.
“From there went into the family tree and genetic genealogy to produce DNA sampling for relatives.”
The victim's uncle and aunt said that her husband invented stories about her whereabouts. James Burrus is now being questioned and considered as a person of interest in her death.
“He had different versions, honestly of what happened to their relationship, but when he sat with detectives he provide no details; he gave no information,” Lefebvre said.
