Police "very confident" remains belong to missing Alaska family

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - An Alaska police lieutenant says authorities are "very confident" remains found over the weekend are those of a family of four missing nearly 10 months.

Kenai Police Lt. David Ross said at a news conference Monday that the remains of four people and a dog were found Saturday less than a mile from the home of Rebecca Adams, 23; her boyfriend, Brandon Jividen, 38; and her children, Michelle Hundley, 6, and Jaracca Hundley, 3. The family disappeared along with their dog last May.

According to Lt. Ross, a handgun was found near the remains and it matches the serial number of one missing from the family's home. The lieutenant said clothing consistent with items missing from the family's home were also recovered at the scene.

Lt. Ross also added that there's no reason to believe anyone else was involved in the deaths, and it appears the four people died where they were found.

At the time of the family's disappearance, relatives said it appeared the family had left without packing. Their two vehicles were parked outside their apartment and their rent for June had not been paid.

Police, with help from the FBI, led a massive search when the family went missing, but failed to uncover any clues.

A person driving down a west Kenai trail spotted clothing and what appeared to be human remains Saturday, according to police.

Police said it would take time to positively identify the remains and complete the investigation. According to Lt. Ross, a medical examiner will conduct DNA testing.

Kenai is a city of 7,100 about 65 miles southwest of Anchorage at the mouth of the Kenai River, Alaska's most popular sport fishing attraction.