Ord Bend Park remains identified

The skeletal remains found in the Ord Bend Park in July have been positively identified as a Chico woman missing for seven years.

Glenn County Sheriff Larry Jones said the State Department of Justice crime lab in Richmond positively identified the remains on Wednesday as those of Heidi Joanne Ring.

Ring was 37 years old when she was reported missing in 2005.

Glenn County Sheriff's Det. Greg Felton and Chico Police Sgt. Rob Merrifield traveled to Cottonwood late Wednesday afternoon to notify her mother, Gretchen Ring, of the results of the DNA testing.

"It is a sad detail to inform a parent of the loss of their child," said Jones in a statement. "When that child has been missing for years, knowing parents and relatives are holding out hope their loved one will be located alive, the task is much more difficult. However, there can be some relief and solace in knowing the loved one has been accounted for."

Since the discovery of Ring's remains, detectives of the Sheriff's Major Crimes Unit have been working in an effort to identify them.

Ring's skeleton was discovered by a work crew in a secluded area on the outer edge of the park near the Sacramento River.

In is unknown how long Ring's remains were in the park, Jones said.

Her jewelry was discovered near her remains — some still attached to bones — indicating her body laid undisturbed for a long period of time, officials said.

The cause of Ring's death is undetermined but law enforcement will continue to investigate her death as a homicide, Jones said.

"Though the trail is very cold, law enforcement must do its best effort in attempting to find out what happened to Heidi Ring, and hopefully bring anyone responsible for her death to justice," Jones said.

Anyone with information about Ring is encouraged to contact the Chico Police Department or the Glenn County Sheriff's Office, who are working together on the case.

CONTACT Susan Meeker at 934-6800 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.