Skeletal remains of 2 missing men from 1976 found in Illinois river
- Skeletal remains were found in a submerged vehicle in the Pecatonica River, identified as belonging to two men who vanished in 1976.
- DNA testing confirmed the identities of the remains as Clarence Owens and Everett Hawley, who disappeared after leaving a farm auction.
- The discovery has brought closure to the families of the missing men, who had been seeking answers for decades.
In 1976, Clarence Owens and Everett Hawley disappeared after attending a farm auction near the Winnebago-Ogle county line in Illinois. Their families were left without answers for decades until a submerged vehicle was discovered in the Pecatonica River in March 2023 by fishermen using sonar technology. Recovery crews later retrieved a 1966 Chevrolet Impala from the river, which contained skeletal remains. The Winnebago County Coroner's Office confirmed through DNA testing that the remains belonged to the two missing men. The testing was conducted by the Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services, which compared DNA extracted from the bones with profiles from the men's relatives. Prior to this, a forensic anthropologist examined the remains and found no signs of trauma, suggesting that the cause of their disappearance may remain a mystery. The discovery of the remains has provided a sense of closure for the families of Owens and Hawley, who had been waiting for answers for over 47 years. Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana expressed hope that this development would help bring peace to the families affected by this tragic case. The case highlights the advancements in forensic science, particularly DNA testing, which has allowed for the identification of remains long after the initial disappearance. This incident serves as a reminder of the unresolved cases that linger in communities and the importance of continued efforts to provide closure to families of missing persons.