Identities of teens confirmed

The identities of the bodies found in a vehicle submerged in the Calfkiller River in the early part of December have been positively identified as those of missing White County teens Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel.

On Dec. 1, 2021, Jeremy Sikes, an independent diver, found the car that had kept investigators searching for more than 21 years for the teens who were last seen in April 2000. Sikes received information from White County Sheriff Steve Page that the teens may have been seen in town and could have been driving on Highway 84 after leaving a party, which had kept the search in the western part of the county. Sikes then used his sonar equipment and was ultimately successful in locating Foster’s car in the Calfkiller River.

“We received confirmation this week that the human remains in the vehicle were indeed those of Jeremy Bechtel and Erin Foster,” Page said. “The medical examiner at the center for forensic evidence used dental records to positively identify the remains as those of Erin Foster, born 2.28.82 and Jeremy Bechtel born 11.7.82.”

Page went on to say there were no cuts on the bones to indicate any type of trauma from either sharp cutting instruments or gun shots.

“We didn’t see any signs of foul play, but we will continue to investigate this case until we are satisfied that we have all of the evidence needed to piece together what happened to Erin and Jeremy that night,” Page said, indicating the case will remain open until investigators are confident in their findings.

Page also said he has remained in contact with the families of both teens throughout the past month. The remains of both Bechtel and Foster have been sent to the funeral homes of the families’ choosing so they can prepare to have services and finally put their children to rest.

“Keep the Foster and Bechtel families in your thoughts and prayers as they are dealing with the loss of their children all over again,” Page said. “I hope that now these families, and all of White County who has mourned and worried about the disappearance of the teens for two decades, can finally have some closure.”

Sheriff Page extended his thanks to Mike Kerr, director of White County Emergency Medical Service, and White County Emergency Communications Center (E-911) for all of the help they provided during the past month. He also said special thanks were needed for Sparta-White County Rescue Squad; the fire departments; local law enforcement; Chris Isom, special investigator for the district attorney; and all of the individuals who have helped in the investigation, retrieval, and identification of the missing car and teens over the past 21 years.

“Thank you to all of the people who helped bring some closure to the whereabouts of Erin and Jeremy,” Page said. “This was a combined effort of many individuals and agencies and wouldn’t have been possible without each of them.”