Canada Journal – News of the World Articles and videos to bring you the biggest Canadian news stories from across the country every day
Cassandra Rhines – Remains Found in NE Minn. Matched to Minneapolis Woman.
Human remains found in Gooseberry Falls State Park in northern Minnesota last year have been forensically matched to a long-missing Minneapolis woman, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced Wednesday during a press conference.
Officials say the woman was identified as Cassandra Rhines. She was 19 years old at the time of her disappearance – which was 30 years ago in June of 1985.
The remains were found May 6, 2014, by an off-duty Lake County Sheriff’s Office employee in an area that’s not commonly visited.
Lake County Sheriff Carey Johnson said Rhines was last heard from in June 1985 when she RSVPed to her goddaughter’s birthday party in Minneapolis. She never showed up and was never heard from again.
In August 2014, DNA from the remains were matched to that of Rhines’ family members, who submitted their DNA in 2013 as part of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s unidentified remains effort.
Investigators say they have launched a homicide investigation, saying Rhines was “a victim of foul play.”
Rhines lived in an apartment complex at 2700 Grand Ave. S near Whittier Park in Minneapolis. Police are asking for any information from people who knew her or lived in the building at the time.
Police believe Rhines may have been involved in prostitution and working as an exotic dancer at the time of her disappearance.
They also believe she may have been living with a man, and they’re asking the public to help identify him.
The BCA and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office are investigating her apparent murder.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 218-834-8385 or the BCA at 651-793-7000.
Agencies/Canadajournal
