Deputies locate human remains believed to be missing endangered woman from Preble Co., autopsy performed

UPDATE @ 3:22 p.m. (July 29):

An autopsy was performed Saturday afternoon on the remains deputies said they believe are those of Laura Patterson who went missing July 19, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

Results of the autopsy will not be released pending a toxicology report, according to the Preble County Coroner’s Office. It can take up to ten weeks before the remains are identified, and the cause of death is determined.

FIRST REPORT (July 28):

Human remains found Saturday morning are believed to be those of missing West Alexandria woman, Laura Patterson, 52, according to a press release from the Preble County Sheriff’s Office.

Laura Patterson was missing since July 19 and had medical issues.

According to the release, K-9 units located the remains in a thick wooded area east of Woodside Drive and west of Quinn Road near Patterson’s home around 7 a.m.

Deputies believe the remains are Patterson’s, the report stated.

The remains were taken to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office where an autopsy will be conducted to positively identify the remains and determine the cause of death.

The exact date of the autopsy is pending, according to Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

Preble County Sheriff’s Office, members of the Buckeye Search and Rescue Dogs of Loveland, Ohio, and Southwestern Ohio Search and Rescue Dogs from the Dayton area continued a search for Patterson Saturday at 6 a.m. prior to finding her.

West Alexandria Fire and EMS also assisted during the search.

The case remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the Preble County Coroner’s Office.