CARRSVILLE
The skeletal remains of a human female found this past November have been definitively identified as that of Stacey Lynn Holste, also known as Stacey Virgili. The Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office, which made the announcement on Wednesday, said that no foul play is suspected, and that the cause of death was suicide.

The corpse had been discovered on Nov. 7 by hunters who were getting ready to take down a tree stand in a wooded area of Carrsville.

Enough teeth were available for searching dental records, which could have quickened the identification. But the medical examiner had to use DNA testing, which took longer to process and compare with those of missing persons or open cases.

“We were able to obtain a DNA sample from the mother of Stacey Holste and forward that to the lab,” said Lt. Tommy Potter, an investigator on the case. “They then took that sample and compared it to DNA samples recovered from the skeletal remains. The medical examiner’s office would be able to provide a more detailed statement as to how this is accomplished. It was through the efforts of our investigators and the experts associated with the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Norfolk, that we were able to recover the remains and subsequent DNA samples for comparisons.

“While heartbreaking for the family, we are glad we were able to bring some manner of closure for the family.”

Holste was first reported missing in September 2009. She was being investigated and was classified as a fugitive with many arrest warrants for suspected credit card fraud. A search had been made, but with no success. She was thought to have left the area because of the investigation.