Implants of any kind can be helpful in the identification process, he said.

"It's all part of the identification process," Deliopoulos said. "If someone has had a hip replacement or has a rod in their back, they have an identification number and we can try to work the case through that."

Deliopoulos said he has been in constant communication with Gary detectives and Lake County crime scene investigators working the case, who executed a search warrant and retrieved evidence at the victim's home on Wednesday.

Deloney-Cain's son, Blake Deloney, said Wednesday he was contacted by United Airlines on Sunday when his mother did not report for work for the first time in 25 years. Luke Peunzenberger, spokesman for United, confirmed Deloney-Cain was a 28-year employee of the airlines, serving as a flight attendant on international flights out of O'Hare International Airport.

Peunzenberger declined further comment on her homicide.

Deloney-Cain's son said other family members saw her last over the Fourth of July weekend.

The deputy coroner said he is driven to provide closure for families in John and Jane Doe cases.

"The feeling when I got word and got the paperwork that linked it back to her was incredible," Deliopoulos said. "I'd been talking to the brother of the deceased, and he said, 'Thank God for all you did.'"

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