Heartbreaking update in case of teen girl who went missing in 1973

A heartbreaking breakthrough has finally solved a 50-year mystery after a Pennsylvania teen went missing from school in 1973.

Authorities have identified the remains of Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, whose body was discovered hidden beneath a plastic tarp in dense woodland back in 1973.

The young victim - who for half a century was known only as 'Jane Doe' - was just 14 years old when she vanished after leaving her York County home for school.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Josh Lacey announced that genealogy testing had confirmed the identity of the decomposed remains that were found by two game wardens on October 10, 1973. 

Her body was found 47 miles from the teenager's home. 

The breakthrough came after a long process that involved exhuming the girl's body from Mount Lebanon Cemetery in 2016. 

Investigators then worked alongside the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 

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Mystery as teenage girl, 14, vanishes after wandering into woods

But still, the cause and manner of her death of Ruthie have not been determined.

State Trooper Ian Keck called the identification a 'huge step' but emphasized the investigation is far from over.

'Just because we identified her today, that doesn't end our investigation,' Trooper Ian Keck said at a news conference Thursday.

'Learning about her everyday life and who she associated with is a key part of this investigation.'

Police are now urgently asking anyone who knew Brenneman or has information about her disappearance to come forward.

Ruth's family members thanked investigators in a statement, stating that they had provided 'some closure on questions that have lingered for the past 51 years.'