Body found in Carmel recently identified as missing Santa Cruz woman

CARMEL, Calif. -- A body found near Carmel-by-the-Sea in late August was recently identified as a Santa Cruz woman missing since the beginning of the year, Santa Cruz County sheriff's officials said today.

Remie Casillas was reported missing on Jan. 15 from Santa Cruz County, sheriff's Sgt. Chris Clark said.

Sheriff's investigators learned earlier this week that her remains were found via their counterparts in Monterey County, Clark said.

Around 10:50 a.m. on Aug. 26, a construction crew doing digging work in the 3600 block of Rio Road on private property near Carmel found human remains that appeared to have been in the ground for a long amount of time, Monterey County sheriff's officials said.

DNA samples helped the Monterey County coroner's office identify the body this week as Casillas, Monterey County sheriff's officials said.

The 51-year-old woman also went by the last name Cousey, sheriff's officials said.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation into the death, which has been deemed suspicious.

Anyone with information surrounding the case is asked to call sheriff's Detective Bret Speirs at (831) 755-3772 or Detective Randal Dyck at (831) 755-3792.