AURORA, IN — A human bone found in a vehicle that was pulled from the Ohio River in Aurora last October has been positively identified.
The Dearborn County Coroner’s Office was contacted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation on Friday, with confirmation that the recovered bone belonged to Stephanie Van Nguyen.
The fibula was recovered four days after a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder was pulled from the Ohio River near Lesko Park on October 14, 2021.
The vehicle belonged to Nguyen, who was reported missing in April 2002 along with her two children.
Prior to her disappearance, Nguyen left behind a note stating she was going to drive into the river and take her two children, 4-year-old Kristina, and 3-year-old John, with her.
Police in Delhi Township, Ohio reopened the nearly two-decade-old cold case last year.
With the use of side-scan sonar technology, divers with the Hamilton County, Ohio Police Association, and Indiana Conservation Officers located and recovered the vehicle.
Indiana State Police began an investigation when the vehicle was found.
Dearborn County Coroner Cameron McCreary said since no other human remains were found in the vehicle, Kristina and John will remain listed as missing persons unless remains are found or the family files through the court to have them declared legally dead.
McCreary added once the weather improves, there are plans for another dive to take place in search of any other possible remains.
“I am happy we were finally able to give Ms. Nguyen’s family some closure in this almost two-decade-long search for their loved one,” McCreary said.
