Human remains found in Stevens County two years ago belong to a Spokane Valley woman missing since 1994, sheriff's officials recently confirmed.

A death certificate for Kay L. Melius was issued Nov. 22 after the University of North Texas confirmed remains found in 2008 belonged to her. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office received the certificate on Thursday.

Investigators have long suspected foul play in her disappearance.

A suspect in her slaying died in January 2008, but Detective Mike Ricketts is hopeful the recent discovery will generate more clues.

"I want to know what happened to her and who was involved," Ricketts said.

Melius, 48, was an alcoholic who suffered from asthma and emphysema and lived on welfare, officials said.

Her 1978 Chevy Impala was found parked in downtown Spokane after she was reported missing in May 1994.

She last lived at a motel west of Spokane with her boyfriend. All her belongings were at the motel after she disappeared, and her disability check arrived and remained uncashed.

Now investigators want to know how she ended up near Fruitland, where hunters discovered her remains in 2008.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

Past coverage:

June 3, 2004: Decade-old disappearance still a mystery

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