Jefferson County sheriffs answer the many questions that surround the case of Maranda Neal

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. – Many questions are still left to be answered after the Arkansas State Crime Lab confirmed remains found in Jefferson County earlier this month are those of an Arkansas woman last seen more than a year ago.

Friends of Maranda Neal are hoping more answers will come soon. 

Deputies in Jefferson County said state officials confirmed that human remains discovered May 5 by a K-9 unit after extensive searches for Maranda Neal, who went missing May 22, 2022.

The discovery was announced Thursday evening after DNA testing performed by the Arkansas State Crime Lab officially confirmed Neal’s identity after the remains were found during exhaustive grid searches over hundreds of acres of woods.

Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. said they did at least three searches, and the remains were found during the most recent one. 

Neal's remains were discovered in a thick underbrush southeast of Presidents Circle around her last known location. Her ATV was discovered in November less than a mile away.