Cheryl Miller, left, and Pamela Jackson were 17-year-old high school students when they disappeared in 1971. They were driving to a party at a gravel pit near Beresford, South Dakota. Investigators have put their case to rest, declaring the girls died in a car accident, with no signs of foul play.
South Dakota cold case closed —
Cheryl Miller, left, and Pamela Jackson were 17-year-old high school students when they disappeared in 1971. They were driving to a party at a gravel pit near Beresford, South Dakota. Investigators have put their case to rest, declaring the girls died in a car accident, with no signs of foul play.
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A Studebaker with skeletal remains was found in September in a creek just half a mile from the girls' intended destination. Last year's weather -- a wet spring followed by strong creek currents and then a drought -- caused the car to become visible and recovered, caked in mud, authorities said.
South Dakota cold case closed —
A Studebaker with skeletal remains was found in September in a creek just half a mile from the girls' intended destination. Last year's weather -- a wet spring followed by strong creek currents and then a drought -- caused the car to become visible and recovered, caked in mud, authorities said.
South Dakota Attorney General's Office/AP
The attorney general said investigators don't know what caused the accident, but he noted that one of the tires was damaged. There was no evidence of alcohol.
South Dakota cold case closed —
The attorney general said investigators don't know what caused the accident, but he noted that one of the tires was damaged. There was no evidence of alcohol.
South Dakota Attorney General's Office/AP
Clothing recovered from the car contained bones, and remnants of shoes were found. Subsequent DNA, forensic and anthropological analyses confirmed the identities of the two sets of remains found and concluded that the girls' deaths were accidental, the attorney general said.
South Dakota cold case closed —
Clothing recovered from the car contained bones, and remnants of shoes were found. Subsequent DNA, forensic and anthropological analyses confirmed the identities of the two sets of remains found and concluded that the girls' deaths were accidental, the attorney general said.
South Dakota Attorney General's Office/AP
Personal belongings tied to the girls were found in the car, including Miller's purse.
South Dakota cold case closed —
Personal belongings tied to the girls were found in the car, including Miller's purse.
South Dakota Attorney General's Office/AP
Miller's driver's license was also recovered.
South Dakota cold case closed —
Miller's driver's license was also recovered.
South Dakota Attorney General's Office/AP
The 1960 Studebaker's ignition and headlights were turned on, and the transmission was in third gear, the attorney general said. The odometer mileage reading is seen here.
South Dakota cold case closed —
The 1960 Studebaker's ignition and headlights were turned on, and the transmission was in third gear, the attorney general said. The odometer mileage reading is seen here.
South Dakota Attorney General's Office/AP
Two notes from classmates were also found. It took 42 years for the car to be discovered.
South Dakota cold case closed —
Two notes from classmates were also found. It took 42 years for the car to be discovered.
South Dakota Attorney General's Office/AP