Authorities confirm remains of Galveston teen Jessica Cain, who disappeared in 1997

C.H. Cain and his wife, Suzy Cain, release a dove in memory of their daughter, Jessica Cain, during a tribute site dedication at Highland Bayou Park in 2012, in La Marque. C.H. Cain and his wife, Suzy Cain, release a dove in memory of their daughter, Jessica Cain, during a tribute site dedication at Highland Bayou Park in 2012, in La Marque. Photo: handout Photo: handout Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close Authorities confirm remains of Galveston teen Jessica Cain, who disappeared in 1997 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

Authorities have confirmed the remains found in a south Houston field are those of Jessica Cain, a Galveston teenager who disappeared almost two decades ago.

Galveston County Criminal DA Jack Roady announced Friday that remains found last month in southeast Houston have been identified as those of Cain, according to a press release.

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Cain, 17, vanished on Aug. 17, 1997 as she drove home from a high school musical cast party at a Clear Lake restaurant. Her truck was later found on the shoulder of Interstate 45 with her purse locked inside.

"We are relieved at the news that Jessica has been found," Roady said in a release. "But while this news brings confirmation, it also brings new sorrow to Jessica's family, friends and those in law enforcement who have mourned her loss. We ask that everyone be respectful of her family and friends' need for privacy during this time of grieving."

Earlier this week authorities confirmed that a second set of remains found in the area belonged to Kelli Cox, a University of North Texas student who went missing on July 15, 1997.

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William Reece, a convicted kidnapper, is linked to both cases. He is currently serving a 60-year prison sentence for a separate kidnapping in 1997. Reece, 56, led police to the pasture near Hobby Airport where the remains were found.

He is also suspected in the kidnappings and killings of 12-year-old Laura Smither and 19-year-old Tiffany Johnson. Both of those slayings occurred in 1997.