CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Authorities say remains found in Iredell County earlier this year have been identified as a Charlotte woman who was reported missing in 2016.
Anastasia Meaders, 29, was last seen on June 17, 2016, by her sister Nakishia Meaders, at a hair salon on Sharon Amity Road.
Deputies said Anastasia Meaders' remains were found in a wooded area near Bridgewater Lane in Mooresville in January.
After an autopsy, investigators determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. Officials said it took nearly 10 months to identify the remains of Anastasia Meaders because of the extreme amount of decomposition.
Deputies said they believe her body was left in the woods after she was killed.
"My niece was a wonderful human being. She loved everybody and everybody loved her," said Anastasia Meaders' aunt Devona Davidson.
In 2016, Nakishia Meaders told Channel 9 she had searched everywhere for her sister.
"So, from that point, I went on a manhunt. I really started looking, every corner, checking every friend, and I came up with nothing," Nakishia Meaders said. "I just need her to come home, or contact me, something."
She said she wanted to report her sister missing right away, but her family was reluctant until their mother and her boyfriend were attacked at the mother's Charlotte home in early August 2016.
Her mother's boyfriend, 38-year-old Michael Gretsinger, later died.
Police charged Timothy Crumitie with murder and attempted murder. Family members told Channel 9 that Crumitie and Anastasia Meaders' mother had once dated.
Officials said Crumitie had been in the middle of two previous homicide investigations. Nakishia added she saw him with her sister two days before she disappeared.
Detectives said they're looking into the possibility of Crumitie's involvement, and they're exploring all other possibilities.
Anastasia Meaders' car was found at Liberty Park in Mooresville in July 2016 -- a few miles from where her remains were found years later.
Officials said a major portion of the investigation is finding the person who gave the suspect a ride after abandoning the victim's car in Liberty Park.
The Iredell County Sheriff's Office said they are committed to finding the person responsible for Anastasia Meaders' death and bringing that person to justice.