This post was written by Alison Gowans and first appeared on Cedar Falls Patch.
A body found Friday in the Des Moines River near Ogden has been confirmed to be Kathylnn Shepard, authorities said Sunday.
Shepard, 15, was abducted with Dezi Hughes, 12, after getting dropped off by her school bus near Dayton on May 20.
Hughes escaped from a hog confinement where authorities believe suspect Michael Klunder took them. Klunder took his own life.
A media release from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said the Chief State Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be multiple sharp and blunt forced injuries. The manner of death will be certified as homicide.
About 100 people gathered on Saturday in Dayton for a prayer vigil in honor of Shepard, the Des Moines Register reported.
“It was unfortunate the outcome but … she is home now and she will forever be in our hearts,” Dayton Police Chief Nick Dunbar said at the vigil.
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