Authorities identify woman found dead in Black River

LESTERVILLE, Mo. -- A woman found dead last week near the Black River had been missing since November.

The victim was identified as 63-year-old Sharon Nelson, of Hillsboro, Missouri. The Reynolds County Sheriff's Department is investigating her death as a homicide.

Her body was found Wednesday morning about 100 yards from the river near Lesterville in an area that had flooded in recent weeks. Heavy rains over three days in late December led to flooding in Missouri and Illinois.

Sheriff Tom Volner said persons of interest have been identified. The cause of death wasn't released.