Reading this post by Veronica’s sister Maureen and the replies from their friends brought tears to my eyes. It really gave me a good sense of who Veronica was, and I know I really would have liked her. What a tragic, terrible loss. Keeping her family (her daughter, especially) and friends in my thoughts and prayers:
“Thank you to everyone for the kind comments, thoughts and prayers. I know so many of you have kept Veronica in your hearts all this time. Even when we had no news or information, you would check in...just in case...or send a message to the page to see if there was any news.
This page was originally set up so we would have a way to keep Veronica's many friends updated during the early days of the search. Now, sadly, the search is over. I know there are still unanswered questions and for many, myself included, it is hard to feel any sense of closure. It just feels like loss - like the hole that was already in your life and your heart from V's absence just got bigger because now we know for sure that V won't be coming back. Even now, it seems unfathomable. Veronica was so funny and sweet and unassuming, immensely passionate and talented. She wanted so badly to make the world a better place, but she already did...just by being V.
I don't have most of the answers we all want but I can at least tell you the rest of what I now know and some things I couldn't share until now.
Last fall, some deer hunters found Veronica's driver's license and a bank card in the woods. Thankfully, they wanted to return them and googled her name after they were out of the woods. Realizing that she was missing, they took the cards to the police.
These items were found beyond the area that had been previously searched, in a different cove. The TBI, Monroe County and other volunteers went back in November and searched deeper into this area. That time, they found some of Veronica's personal possessions that would have been in her bag, but not the bag itself or any shoes, clothes, glasses or her cell phone. It was both crushing and confusing. Her things being found so deep in the woods wasn't a good sign. But why would some of her things be there, but not her? The teams went out again and searched even further, but still didn't find Veronica. Since the investigation was still open, we were asked not to post that information online, only family and close friends were told. That was a year ago.
One of the first things you are told at the beginning of an investigation is that there may be information that the detective cannot share with you. They obviously cannot jeopardize the case by revealing potential evidence. Also, they have to be sensitive to the missing person's privacy and finally, there are numerous legal issues that have to be considered. So, for various reasons, when some human remains were also found in the search area, the family couldn't be told immediately.
The ‘remains’ were two bones, so no - there is no autopsy or ‘cause of death’ to be determined. Her death was most likely an accident. The elevation drop from the car to where her things were found is about 200ft, so there are steep ravines and dropoffs. The route she would have taken was not on the main trail, but rather a path leading off in the opposite direction.
The remains were sent to the lab in Texas that processes DNA analysis for all unidentified people in the entire country. Family members of those who are missing can donate DNA, which becomes part of the national database used for identification. My father and I donated DNA at a missing person event in Knoxville last fall. We wanted to insure that in the unfortunate event that V was recovered in the future, she would be able to be identified. My father was going through chemotherapy for cancer and hadn't been well. He said he couldn't do much to help the search, but he could do that. His health declined soon after and he passed away in December. Without that DNA sample, it is unlikely that she would have been identified, as no good samples of Veronica's DNA were available. Because this is a relatively small lab with a massive case load, it normally takes about 8 months for results to be processed. No one is sure why it took so long to get results for Veronica. The family was notified of the existence of the remains and the DNA confirmation this morning, shortly before the press release.
When a loved one goes missing, your greatest hope is that they will be found safe and sound. Your greatest fear is that they will never be found at all. Not knowing is haunting, as many of you know. While our hopes that Veronica would be returned safely are crushed, we at least know that she has been ‘found’ and can take some measure of comfort in that.
My most heartfelt thanks go to our detective at the TBI. He took Veronica's case to heart and did everything possible to solve the mystery of Veronica's disaapearance. Also, thank you again to all those who volunteered to assist the TBI with the search effort, especially Monroe County and the dog team for their support in the last two searches. Thank you to the hunters who found a driver's license in the woods and wanted to return it. Finally, thank you to everyone who hung a flier, shared a post, said a prayer or has just been ‘there’ for any of our family members. In our own way, we have all been a bit lost since Veronica went missing, but we haven't been alone. Thank you for being there, thank you for caring. Love to all.
Maureen”
Friends of Veronica Casciato
ETA: We really need more DNA testing labs to speed things up. Many loved ones of missing persons say sometimes not knowing is worse than knowing (“Not knowing is haunting, as many of you know. While our hopes that Veronica would be returned safely are crushed, we at least know that she has been "found" and can take some measure of comfort in that.”). I don’t have a solution for it, but it’s definitely something to think about, IMO.
I don't know what to hope for. TBI investigating body found on Polk County mountain - WDEF
