Skeletal remains identified as missing Lee Twp. woman

Skeletal remains found March 21 in Fox Twp. on property located off Torch Rd. were identified last week.

According to Carroll County Coroner Dr. Mandal Haas, they were identified as Karen Sue Hansen, who was reported missing Sept. 3, 2019, from her Lee Twp. home.

Dr. Haas said the identification was made using mitochondria DNA (mtDNA). mtDNA is located outside the cell nucleus and contain multiple identical copies of the mitochondrial genome. The high copy number makes the mtDNA a favorable target for degraded samples.

Hansen’s remains will be turned over to the superintendent of Carroll Golden Age Retreat for burial.