DNA analysis has confirmed remains that washed up on a New York beach a decade ago are those of a New Jersey housewife who disappeared in 2001.
However, the break in the case doesn't shed any light on how Patricia Viola died.
The 42-year-old disappeared without a trace from her Bogota home on Feb. 13, 2001.
Her remains were found on a beach in Rockaway, Queens in July 2002.
Her husband, James, tells The Record newspaper he was stunned when police on Tuesday told him about the DNA match.
He says he thought his wife was out shopping the day she disappeared and he called police at 11:30 p.m. to report her missing.
He believes the match came from new DNA samples that their children submitted last year.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
