Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Body found Saturday identified
BENTONVILLE — Authorities believe a pair of bodies found this weekend is a missing mother and her young daughter, according to a news release.
The Benton County Sheriff ’s Office issued a news release Tuesday stating it had received confirmation a body found Saturday is that of Carol Elaine Davidson, 35, of Siloam Springs. Positive identification on the second set of remains found Sunday is pending with further testing from the Arkansas Crime Laboratory, according to the release. Police believe it’s probable the body is that of 22-month-old RoseMarry Davidson, according to the release.
No other findings of the autopsies will be released and an investigation is ongoing, the release stated.
Terri Russo, Carol Davidson’s sister, did not return a telephone call seeking comment on Tuesday.
The bodies were found near Lookout Tower Road near Siloam Springs, according to the sheriff’s office. The area is roughly a mile and a half from where searchers found Davidson’s missing vehicle in November, Chief Deputy Meyer Gilbert said.
A deer hunter found the first body Saturday evening, said Sgt. Shannon Jenkins,
spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office.
Roughly 50 people searched the area until dark Saturday before returning Sunday morning, Gilbert said.
Davidson and RoseMarry were last seen on Veterans Day at a Siloam Springs recreational park. Davidson’s 1999 Dodge Caravan was found a few days later around Lookout Tower Road, an isolated stretch running through the Lake Wedington section of the Ozark National Forest.
A baby bottle, a diaper bag, a box of keepsakes and documents and clothing for both people were inside, Siloam Springs police said.
Russo previously said the family was convinced someone forced or compelled Davidson to leave, though investigators haven’t given a version of what they think happened.
Russo in December announced on Facebook the family set up a GoFundMe campaign and would give several thousand dollars to whoever would bring the pair home before Christmas Day.
Russo described Davidson as funny and warm in a series of Facebook posts since her disappearance.
“This behavior is not like my sister as she depended on her family on a daily basis, so we know she is in need of help wherever her and the baby are,” Russo wrote Nov. 17.
The sheriff ’s office requests anyone with information regarding the deaths to call its criminal investigation division at 479-271-1008.