Texas police say remains belong to student missing since 1997

ANGLETON, Texas (AP) – Authorities say remains found in a pasture in southeast Texas are those of a 20-year-old college student who went missing almost two decades ago.

Denton police said Monday that the remains have been identified through dental records as those of Kelli Cox, who went missing from the North Texas town of Denton in July 1997. She attended the University of North Texas.

Authorities had announced this month that imprisoned convicted kidnapper William Reece had led them to the remains in Brazoria County. The 56-year-old is already serving a 60-year sentence for kidnapping one woman.

Identification is also pending on remains authorities found last month with Reece’s help in the search for 17-year-old Jessica Cain, also missing since 1997.