Human remains discovered in a remote area of Arizona have been identified as those of a six-year-old who disappeared almost five years ago.

Isabel Celis was last seen on 20 April, 2012, when she went to bed and was reported missing by her father when he found she was not in her room the following morning.

DNA analysis of the remains, found in Pima County in March, has confirmed they belong to the little girl.

At the time, the case drew comparison to the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann, who vanished while on holiday with her parents in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on 3 May 2007.

Tucson Police said it would not be releasing any further details an an intense investigation is ongoing.


In a statement on its Facebook page, it said: "The Tucson Police Department will continue to actively pursue those responsible for any involvement in Isabel's disappearance and death, and will pursue prosecution to the highest level possible.

"Releasing further details at this time could have unintended consequences. As we move forward in our investigation, we will release additional details as they become available.

"Although this confirmation may provide some degree of closure, this also sadly ends the hope of bringing Isabel home safely to her family."

No suspects have ever been named, but police said at the time of Isabel's disappearance that they had found "suspicious circumstances around a possible entry point" in the home.

Police Chief Chris Magnus said a large team has worked on the case for several years and although he would not be drawn on how they found the remains he said it was "not by happenstance".