Medical examiner positively identifies body pulled from river as Jacquelyn Ranallo
RIVER HILLS -- The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office has positively identified a body found in the Milwaukee River in River Hills as Jacquelyn Ranallo -- the 53-year-old Mequon woman missing since mid-November.
The body was located Tuesday, May 24th by some cyclists -- near a pile of debris in the Milwaukee River under the Range Line bridge.
The cyclists flagged down a police sergeant on patrol in the area.
Body found in Milwaukee River in River Hills
The medical examiner made the positive identification Wednesday. It was made through dental records provided by Mequon police. There was a significant amount of decomposition to the body.
An autopsy was performed and no trauma was found.
The cause of death is pending further toxicology testing. Mequon police say the results will be available in six to eight weeks.
Mequon Police Chief Steve Graff said this in a statement to FOX6 News:
“While everyone was still hoping to find Jackie alive, on behalf of the Mequon Police Department and all of the staff who worked tirelessly in an attempt to find her, we hope that this brings some sort of closure to her family and friends.”
Ranallo's family has released this statement through Mequon police:
“We are saddened to learn that the body found in River Hills on Tuesday was our family member and friend, Jacquelyn Ranallo.
During the past six months since her disappearance, so many people have helped share flyers about her disappearance through social media and by distributing them to local businesses around the area in hopes of finding Jackie. For you, we are so grateful.
Jackie enjoyed life to the fullest and her spirit lives on through those she touched during her time with us. While we are devastated by today’s news and wait for more information in hopes of learning what happened to Jackie, we are comforted knowing she is finally at peace.
We especially want to thank the Mequon Police Department and their counterparts at the FBI for their efforts in trying to bring Jackie home, the local media for keeping her story in the public and the many people who showed their concern for Jackie through prayers and words of encouragement.
We kindly ask for privacy during this very difficult time."
Jacquelyn Ranallo
FOX6's Brad Hicks kayaked in the Milwaukee River in February -- while working on an in-depth piece on Ranallo's disappearance. He and his photojournalist kayaked the river up to the area near County Line Road.
Jacquelyn Ranallo's home
Ranallo was last seen visiting her mother at an assisted living facility in Germantown.
In February, Brad Hicks was given exclusive access to Ranallo's home as part of his in-depth investigation. There was no sign of a struggle or forced entry. Many personal items, like credit cards, her driver's license and wallet were inside the home.
Ranallo's friend, Linda Schlosser called the discovery Tuesday "very sad," but said she hopes the discovery will give loved ones closure.
Jacquelyn Ranallo
River Hills police said if Ranallo fell into the Milwaukee River near her home in Mequon, it would make sense that her remains would have drifted to the area near Range Line Road in River Hills.
"At that point, the Milwaukee River is on it's way to Lake Michigan and flows in the direction where it goes from West to East," River Hills Sgt. Milton Mrozak said.
Mequon police are leading this investigation.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.