Skeletal remains found in Edgewater identified as missing teen

EDGEWATER, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A spokesperson for the Edgewater Police Department says skeletal remains, found in a wooded area of Edgewater last month, have been positively identified through DNA samples as those of a missing teenager.

Laboratory analysis conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement determined the DNA profile matched that of 17-year-old Ashlyn Nicole Bowman. 

A worker clearing brush in the area made the gruesome discovery off Pullman Road on the morning of August 9.  The wooded area is near an industrial park.

Police Chief David Arcieri said there didn’t seem to be any attempt made to hide or conceal it. They did not find any clothes or personal items in the area at the time. 

The preliminary examination of the body determined it had not been dismembered or burned, as originally reported to investigators.  It was, however, badly decomposed --  so much so, that they could not determine age or even the gender -- before sending DNA samples to the FDLE.

Bowman went missing in June.   The cause of death has not yet been determined.  Authorities said the investigation is still open and pending the results of the forensic pathologist's report.