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Body of missing student Phylicia Barnes found in Md.

Phylicia Barnes Missing: Police Fear Abduction in Case of Missing North Carolina Teen
Phylicia Barnes (CBS affiliate WJZ)

(CBS/WJZ) PORT DEPOSIT, Md. - Baltimore City Police confirm a body found in the Susquehanna River near the Conowingo Dam is missing North Carolina student Phylicia Barnes.

The bodies of a man and a woman were found Wednesday, reports CBS station WJZ.

Medical examiners compared the missing North Carolina teen's dental records with one of two bodies found on the Susquehanna River Thursday, reports WJZ.

The bodies were in such bad shape that police couldn't tell what race they were, but knew one was a man and another was a woman.

Chief Medical Examiner David Fowler says that Barnes was the only missing person in the area who matches the age and gender of the body that was found. He says her dental records were the only set police submitted for comparison.

Barnes was visiting Baltimore from North Carolina when she vanished from her sister's apartment near Reisterstown Road Plaza almost four months ago during the Christmas holidays. Her 17th birthday was Jan. 12.

The case has grown cold and no clues turned up after another massive search earlier this month. Barnes' family has been praying for her safe return.

The discovery is bringing one of the largest missing persons cases in Baltimore to a close. It's still not clear how Barnes died and if the other body found is related to her death.

Complete Coverage of Phylicia Barnes on Crimesider
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