Forensic experts may determine how Kelly Dwyer died, but say "it will take several weeks"

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It was the important work at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office that helped identify Kelly Dwyer. It is national experts who will likely be called in to help next.

One of the largest questions in a year and half mystery is now solved. Kelly Dwyer has been found.

Experts say it is a major step in determining what happened to her.

"Your case is almost always cold until a body is found," said Forensic Anthropologist, Dr. Rick Snow.

From half way around the world, currently working in the South Pacific, Dr. Rick Snow knows the path ahead for the Dwyer case.

As a forensic anthropologist, his work has taken him lots of places, including Wisconsin.

"I believe someone out there is missing their loved one, someone knows something," said Racine County Sheriff, Christopher Schmaling.

In 2013, Racine officials called on Dr. Snow to help identify a Jane Doe found in 1999.

As a consultant, he's also worked with Waukesha County authorities to try and provide leads on a cold case from 1976.

"There are 206 bones in the human body and trying to put them back together and determine who that individual was, how they died, and when they died, can be a real problem. And sometimes it comes quite easily," said Dr. Snow.

Jefferson County authorities say Dwyer's body will likely be looked at by a forensic anthropologist.

Dr. Snow says those seeking answers must be patient.

"It will take several weeks at the least, conceivably even a number of months. Many times DNA can take 6-8 months at a minimum," said Dr. Snow.

It is also important to note bringing in a forensic expert, is no guarantee it will lead to the answers investigators are looking for.

One thing is for certain, the investigation is in a much brighter place than it was just a couple of days ago.

Dr. Snow says this case has one thing going for it, his other two Jane Doe cases in Wisconsin did not -- a positive identification.

Forensic experts will now closely comb over each bone, looking to determine a cause of death.