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DNA tests have confirmed the body found in rural Whitley County this month is that of missing Columbia City resident Debra Houser, the Whitley County coroner said in a statement.
An autopsy conducted two weeks ago revealed the 49-year-old woman died of blunt-force trauma to her head, neck and chest. She was beaten to death – but Whitley County Coroner Scott Smith declined Tuesday to say what kind of weapon, if any, had been used in the slaying. Her death has been ruled a homicide.
Deputies acted on a tip they received Dec. 15 and found the body in about 2 feet of water in a creek that crosses County Road 200 South.
The discovery came after that same area had been searched previously.
Houser, of rural Columbia City, was reported missing Nov. 18.
Rodney Houser, 43, is charged with murder in his ex-wife’s death and is awaiting trial. According to court documents, Rodney Houser asked a friend to help hide the body of his ex-wife, whom he had killed after the couple argued the night before her disappearance.
