Cheerleader's Remains Discovered: 13-year-old Cheerleader's Remains CONFIRMED, Will "Bring Family Closure"

The cheerleader's remains discovered in March officially belong to 13-year-old Hailey Darlene Dunn, reports confirm. Dunn went missing in 2010 and was a middle school cheerleader. DNA tests were conducted by the Scurry County Sheriff's Office. On  Friday, April 26 confirmed the identity of the cheerleader's body as belonging to Hailey Darlene Dunn. Many people in the area believe that she was murdered. One person who believes this most vocally is the Dunn's grandmother, Connie Jones. A police investigation is currently underway to invesetigate the circumstances surrounding Dunn's death. Shawn Adkins, the ex-boyfriend of Dunn's mother, was initially named a person of interest, but has not been officially charged in the case..

Many in the small Texas town are reeling from the loss, but having a positive identity is a step towards closure. "It is a relief to know that she's at peace," family member Spicy Dunn said to reporters. "She doesn't have any more suffering... I hope the family comes to a closure. I know it's very hard."

Dunn's body was discovered near Lake J.B. Thomas in West Texas on March 16. An unidentified person made the discovery. And over a month later, the remains have now been were officially identified as Dunn.

Dunn was reported missing December 28, 2010. Dunn's mother, Billie Jean Dunn, made the initial report. During a news conference on Friday, Scurry County Sheriff Trey Wilson announced that the cause of Dunn's death currently remains under investigation. The same day as the conference, Billie Jean Dunn was informed; she will travel from Austin to make arrangements for her daughter's funeral.

When Dunn was first reported missing, a wide-ranging search was made in an effort to find the thirteen-year-old girl. Shawn Adkins, Billie Jean Dunn's boyfriend at the time, and Billie Jean Dunn herself both denied involvement in her disappearance. Adkins told authorities that Hayley Darlene Dunn said Dec. 27 that she was going to her father's home nearby, and that after that she'd sleep over at a friend's house. She has never been seen again. Adkins was initially named a person of interest, but was never charged. Last year, Dunn and Adkins broke up. Authorities later accused Billie Jean of lying about Adkins' whereabouts.  In June 2011, she pleaded no contest to making a false report to law enforcement; she served and received a 90-day jail term that was suspended and probation.

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