Police find remains of Ohio girl missing since 1999

LIMA, Ohio (AP) — Police say the skeleton of a 14-year-old Ohio runaway who went missing in 1999 has been found after the home where she was last seen was demolished.

The Lima News reports that Lima police on Saturday said the remains of Nicholle Coppler were found in a crawl space as the home’s foundation was being dug out. Allen County Coroner Gary Beasley said they were identified through dental records.

The home was owned by Glen Fryer, who had been suspected in Coppler’s death. The newspaper reports he was 55 when he killed himself in 2002 while awaiting sentencing for raping a girl.

The home was demolished after the state took possession due to unpaid taxes. Coppler’s remains were the only ones found.

“I knew in my heart it was Nicholle,” said the girl’s mother, Krista Coppler, who now lives in Florida.

“I knew in my heart she never left that house.”

Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin said the discovery means the homicide investigation is reopened. The newspaper reports that police have said Fryer had a link to human trafficking.

“Our goal is still the same: Try to get to the truth,” Martin said. “Where exactly that will lead us I cannot say.”

Lt. Jim Baker said detectives believe Fryer was involved in the death but that there also were other people.