Theresa Parker's Body Found in Ga., 911 Dispatcher Went Missing in 2007

LAFAYETTE, Ga. (CBS/AP) Teresa Parker's family and friends will finally be able to put the Georgia 911 dispatcher to rest after her skeletal remains were found scattered along the Chattanooga River, investigators said Wednesday - a sad and final ending that they have feared since Teresa mysteriously vanished in 2007.

According to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, the investigative team received a call Monday from a farmer who had been combing an area in Chattooga County near the state border of Alabama for driftwood and instead found a jawbone.

Even though it had been quite some time since her disappearance, numerous law enforcement agencies have continued to work together to investigate the case and were searching another area at the time when they received the call.

"It was just a miracle that he stumbled upon it and reported it to the [Chattooga County] sheriff's office," Wilson said.

Further details of the crime scene have been withheld, but Wilson did say a forensic review will be necessary in order to determine the cause of death.

Theresa's former husband, Sam Parker, was convicted of her murder last year and sentenced to life in prison, even though, at the time no body had been found.

Wilson said Sam Parker was born and raised in Chattooga County and the remains were found "about 12 miles from where he grew up."

The 51-year-old police officer who allegedly had a history of alcohol and domestic abuse and Theresa were in the process of getting a divorce when she disappeared March 21, 2007.

David Ashburn, director of the 911 center where Theresa Parker worked, said friends and co-workers were notified.

"It's great we have an answer," Ashburn said, "but it's terrible it's not the answer we wanted."

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