A former Livingston County resident who disappeared over four decades ago has been identified through DNA after her remains were discovered in Florida, authorities said.
Former Dansville resident identified through DNA
The Livingston County Sheriff's Office announced that DNA testing has confirmed the identity of former Dansville resident Rose Marie Gayhart, who had been missing since 1985.
Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty said the Sheriff's Office received confirmation on May 27, 2026, from a Texas laboratory that DNA collected from Gayhart's family members was used to positively identify human remains found in a canal in Cape Coral, Florida.
The remains were discovered by a citizen in May 2024.
DNA collected in 2007 helped identify remains
Investigators said the DNA used to confirm Gayhart's identity had been collected by members of the Livingston
County Sheriff's Office in 2007 as part of the missing person investigation.
Florida homicide investigation remains active
Authorities said the case remains an active homicide investigation being led by the Cape Coral Police Department in Florida.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Livingston County Sheriff's Office at 585-243-7100 or the Sheriff's Tip Line at 844-LCSO-TIP.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Former Dansville woman missing since 1985 identified after remains found in Florida canal
