A BODY FOUND IN AN ABANDONED HOME NEAR ABINGDON VIRGINIA ON OCTOBER 12TH BY SOME DEER HUNTERS HAS BEEN POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AS THAT OF A LOCAL WOMAN. DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION, CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BODY MATCHED THE DESCRIPTION OF 25 YEAR OLD MERANDA FAITH HAYDEN WHO WAS LAST SEEN IN APRIL 2006. HAYDEN WAS REPORTED MISSING BY HER PARENTS ON APRIL 5TH 2006 WHEN SHE LEFT HER RESIDENCE TO TRAVEL TO BRISTOL. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF FRED NEWMAN, ADDITIONAL DENTAL RECORDS PROVED BENEFICIAL IN MAKING THE POSITIVE INDENTIFICATION POSSIBLE. HE SAID THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO TRY AND MAKE A DETERMINATION OF THE CAUSE AND CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUND THE WOMAN’S DEATH.