The state medical examiner’s office on Friday confirmed remainsfound in Jefferson County two weeks were those of Brookhaven’sVirginia Ratliff.

Assistant Brookhaven Police Chief Nolan Jones said dental X-rayshe sent to the office matched the skeletal remains found near theintersection of Highway 28 and Highway 33 south of Fayette on Feb.25, which were recovered along with Ratliff’s 1999 Mercury GrandMarquis. Ratliff’s death was caused by natural causes and no foulplay occurred, he said.

Authorities were certain two weeks ago, but Ratliff’s officialidentification puts a definite end to her three-year disappearancethat began on Feb. 28, 2008.

“I wish we could have done it a lot sooner. I wish someone couldhave found her before Mr. (Charles) Ratliff passed away,” Jonessaid. “There’s a little bit of comfort knowing she wasn’t abducted,she wasn’t killed and we didn’t have a murder on our hands. Thatpart is a relief, and knowing it’s come to an end is a relief.”

Jones has been the police department’s lead officer on the casefor three years. He said there was no way to thank all the officersand other responders who’ve been involved in the search.

“I just happened to be here and answer the call on Feb. 28,2008. Everybody down here worked on this thing,” he said.