Alma, WI (KROC-AM News) - Human remains found in a Twin Cities suburb last week have been positively identified as being from the western Wisconsin woman who was allegedly murdered by a Rochester man.

A news release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice says forensic testing has confirmed the remains found in Blaine are from Beth Johnson. She was last seen alive at the trailer home she shared with Randall Merrick just outside Nelson Wisconsin on Christmas Day 2018. Her son officially reported Johnson missing in March of the following year.

Merrick was charged last week with first-degree murder and hiding a corpse. The criminal complaint alleges Johnson's death was the result of domestic violence.

As of Monday morning, Merrick was still being held in the Olmsted County Jail pending his extradition to Buffalo County Wisconsin.

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