Human Remains NOT Stacy Peterson or Lisa Stebic

May 28, 2009

According to Illinois State Police, a forensic crime lab has determined human remains found in the Des Plaines River last week are not those of Stacy Peterson or Lisa Stebic. DNA testing has revealed that the headless, armless skeleton is that of an unidentified male.

Authorities have yet to comment on the man's race; however they have said that shreds of blue jeans and a small amount of money have been recovered in the area where the remains were found. In addition, two additional bones have since been found in the same area.

"I think we left ourselves open to this possibility. We're disappointed," Pam Bosco, a spokeswoman for Peterson's family, told chicagotribune.com. "But we're still moving forward, doing the searches, doing the investigation. We're continuing. We're still hopeful that eventually we'll find Stacy."

In an interview with the same Web site, Melanie Greenberg, a spokeswoman for Stebic's family, expressed similar sentiments.

"It's disappointing," Greenberg said. "There's no grave to visit. Even if we hadn't had all of her, it would have made all the difference in the world to put her to rest with dignity."

So while the remains are not those of a missing female, they have now prompted speculation that they could belong to one of a number of missing men from the Chicago area. One of those men, John "Chicago Johnny" Spira, a popular Chicago musician who went missing in February 2007, was recently covered in this blog. John's sister, Stephanie McNeil, is used to the roller coaster ride of false hope, so she is hesitant to get her hopes up.

"I’m not thinking or hoping that it’s John. I am hoping they are able to positively identify the remains soon so some family can get a little closure," Stephanie wrote in a post she made today at johnspira.com. "I have contacted the Will County Coroner’s office so that they are aware of John’s case. It would be nice if the national media would put the spotlight on John’s case based on this recent revelation but they just don’t do missing men."

An investigation to identify the remains is still under way. No word yet on how long that will take.

Update: According to the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, DNA test results show the remains are not John Spira.

Related Link:
Stacy Peterson Found? Get all the Latest Details
Drew Peterson Charged with Murder of Kathleen Savio
The Mysterious Disappearance of John "Chicago Johnny" Spira

Photo Credits: Des Plaines River: David Lohr; John Spira: Contributed

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Comments

[cheryl]

"authorities have yet to comment on the MAN'S race or GENDER?" Ooopsie.

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edited by David Lohr to add: Long day yesterday :)

[cheryl]

Sorry, Mr. Lohr, I'm a school teacher at heart.

This is disappointing new to those loved ones of both Stacy Peterson and Lisa Stebic, and to those of us following the cases, but maybe it will lead to a conclusion for another family.

By the way, do you know anything about the discovery forums? It seems that people who are reporting the trouble-makers are being banned, and the trouble-makers are thriving on the boards. Someone's got something mixed up there.

[Lynne Elliott]

First time here. I was on facebook and Escaped came on the TV while I was on the computer. I was appalled, sickened, and distraught to see what a sadist called Parker-Ray did to a poor woman by the name of Cynthia. I was on the edge of my seat praying for her to escape and she did! But between 45 and 60 other people were not so lucky! This is the kind of "protect our people" info. that should be taught in our schools. Yet, sadly I 'll bet it gives the sick ideas!