TROY, Mo. — It's a moment they can finally hold on to.
Their hands grip this box filled with their loved one's ashes.
For more than 45 years, Kevin Groomes yearned to be reunited with his sister.
"I'm just overwhelmed with joy that we found my sister and able to bring her home and know where she's at," Groomes said.
Fifteen-year-old Helen Groomes went missing on her birthday in 1977 from her hometown in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Her family never knew where she went.
Her body floated down to Lincoln County and was found in 1978.
Ever since then, she's been buried in a Troy cemetery as Jane Doe.
At the time, autopsy reports believed she was 30 to 40 years old. The cause of death was identified as drowning and the manner of death was classified as ‘undetermined’.
Based on the level of decomposition, it was estimated she had died about four months prior.
The body had a tattoo that appeared to say “Dee” on her left forearm. Investigators never knew her name.
Lincoln County Coroner Dan Heavin said, "For 46 years we were looking for a female in her 30's, we were looking for the wrong person."
But with today's technology and tenacity, it re-directed investigators.
"Everybody deserves closure and a piece of mind and that's what we're trying to give them," Heavin shared in a news conference.
Advanced anthropology and chemistry students from Southeast Missouri State University along with anthropology professor Dr. Jennifer Bengtson are helping solve missing person's cases, including this one. This is their third case they've helped Lincoln County with.
This past fall, Jane Doe's body was exhumed.
Dr. Bengston said, "Our analysis of dental and bone development almost immediately made it clear that she was a teenager."
In late November 2023, SEMO sent samples to Othram in Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the evidence and built a comprehensive DNA profile. Othram conducted a genetic genealogy search and found new leads.
A match was made and it guided the investigation in the right direction. The coroner was given three contacts.
Heavin finally spoke to Kevin Groomes on the phone.
Kevin said his sister was missing since 1977 and he was the one who put the tattoo on his sister's arm, which said 'Del', a nickname for her boyfriend at the time.
Aaron McConnell is a criminal investigator with Wapello County Sheriff's Office.
McConnell said, "Our office got involved in this about a month ago. They believe they had a brother in Iowa for a match and that’s how we got contacted. We contacted the brother, interviewed the brother."
The family believes Helen's stepfather is the possible killer.
They said he confessed on his death bed, but they don't know how it happened.
For now, the Wapello County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation.
If you have any information, contact their department at 641-684-4350.
Her uncle, Roger Castle, waited and wondered all these years.
Now, he wants to help others heal too.
He added, "When I get home I'm going to the coroner's office in Des Moines, Iowa, and see if they have any program like this and get them started if they don't."
They held on to hope and now they're holding on to Helen. Never letting go.
"Don't give up," Castle shared.
While this brought closure to their family, the Lincoln County Sheriff Rick Harrell said they are still working on two other missing person cases in the area.
This includes Arlin Henderson who went missing in 1991 and Bianca Piper in 2005.