“Virginia Pennington Identified as Woman Swept Away by Floodwaters: Dearborn County Remains Found”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Coroner Identifies Remains Found in Dearborn County as Missing Woman Swept Away by Floodwaters

The remains that were discovered in Dearborn County earlier this week have now been identified by the coroner’s office. The remains belong to Virginia Pennington, a 53-year-old woman from Brookville, Indiana. Pennington was one of two individuals who were swept away by floodwaters in Wolf Creek on July 28, 2023.

Pennington and Hardy Harris Jr., who was 49 years old at the time, were staying in a cabin on Wolf Creek in Franklin County, Indiana, when tragedy struck. The cabin was engulfed by floodwaters, leading to the disappearance of both individuals. Although Hardy Harris Jr.’s body was recovered the day after the incident, Virginia Marie Pennington remained missing until January 16.

The Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office received a call on January 16 from a property owner on Pinhook Road in West Harrison. The property owner reported finding a human skull on his property near the Whitewater River. Responding deputies discovered additional skeletal remains in a debris pile caused by flooding.

Due to inclement weather, the search for more remains had to be halted temporarily. However, investigators returned to the site on January 17 to collect the remaining skeletal remains. These remains were then transported to the Hamilton County Morgue by the Dearborn County Coroner for further analysis.

Yesterday, the Dearborn County Coroner informed the Sheriff’s Office that the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office was able to identify the skeletal remains as those of Virginia Pennington. This identification was made through a scientific comparison that involved examining medical records and X-rays.

It is worth noting that the location where Pennington’s remains were discovered is approximately 19.5 miles away from where she was swept away by the floodwaters. The discovery of her remains brings some closure to her family and loved ones, who have been searching for answers since the tragic incident occurred.

The identification of these remains highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to locate missing persons and bring closure to their families. The collaboration between various law enforcement agencies and coroner’s offices is crucial in ensuring that these cases are properly investigated and resolved.

As the investigation into this case continues, authorities will work towards determining the exact circumstances surrounding Pennington’s death. The findings will be crucial in providing a comprehensive understanding of what transpired on that fateful day.

In conclusion, the identification of Virginia Pennington’s remains brings some resolution to her family and friends who have been searching for answers since her disappearance. This case underscores the significance of ongoing efforts to locate missing persons and highlights the importance of collaboration between different agencies in the pursuit of justice..