Fayetteville remains identified as missing woman

Human remains found in July in Fayetteville were identified Wednesday as belonging to a missing 46-year-old woman, authorities said.

Fayetteville police said the state medical examiner has not yet determined a cause of death for Paula Michelle McLaurin. But investigators are treating the case as a homicide.

Family members had reported McLaurin missing March 30. A work crew found the remains July 25 behind a vacant medical office building on Cumberland Street.

The remains were taken to the medical examiner's office for identification.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fayetteville police detectives at 910-433-1856 or Crime Stoppers at 910-483-8477.