Remains match those of 9-year-old girl

STONEVILLE, N.C., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- DNA testing has shown that human remains found in a rural area of North Carolina are those of 9-year-old Jennifer Short, who has been missing since mid-August from her southern Virginia home, authorities said Friday.

Both of her parents were found shot to death at their home the day of her disappearance.

"The skeletal remains in Rockingham County have been determined to be a positive match with the DNA profile of Short and are hers," said Sheriff Sam Paige of Rockingham County, N.C.

Henry County, Va., Sheriff Frank Cassell said he was saddened by the finding.

"I am heartbroken for the little girl and her family, but at least she is not out there somewhere being abused or whatever. She's safe now," he said.

The girl's parents -- Michael Short, 50, and Mary Hall Short, 36 -- were shot Aug. 15 at their home in the community of Oak Level on U.S. 220 in southern Virginia about 30 miles north of where the bones were found.

They were found by Eddie Albert who told friends he saw his dogs playing with something last month, so he investigated. He picked them up with a stick and threw them in the trash because he thought they were animal bones.

Three days later, he found the skull and some hair and called the sheriff.

Page said he didn't know how long the bones might have been there.

There is a $62,000 reward being offered in the case. Investigators said they don't have any solid leads.