Remains of missing Illinois woman identified in Missouri

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A woman's dismembered body that was found at an Interstate 70 rest stop nearly 12 years ago in eastern Missouri has been identified, police in Illinois and Missouri said Tuesday.

The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis identified the victim as Deanna Denise Howland of Alton, Illinois. She was also known as Deanna Denise Barker, Deanna Denise Kinnear and Deanna Denise Froehl. She would have been 35 at the time of her disappearance.

A highway maintenance worker who was trimming trees found Howland's headless torso on June 28, 2004, in a picnic area at the rest stop near Wright City, Missouri, about 45 miles west of St. Louis. Police believe the body was dumped at the rest area after Howland was killed elsewhere.

Major Jeff Connor of the Madison County Sheriff's Office said that Howland, who had worked as a prostitute, was estranged from her family and only recently was reported missing.

DNA samples provided by members of Howland's family helped identify her remains, which had appendectomy and cesarean section scars.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about Howland's death to contact the sheriff's departments in Warren County or Madison County, Illinois.