Spooner body identified

The remains of a body found near Spooner Summit were identified Thursday as Margaret Lorette, 59, of Calaveras County.

Carson City Sheriff's authorities have ruled Lorette's death a suicide, according to Lt. Ray Saylo.

Saylo said the weapon was found next to the body and a medical examination revealed that the wound was self-inflicted.

Lorette was reported missing Dec. 6 after her car was found on the side of the road Dec. 1.

Authorities searched the area around her car three times -- once with a thermal imaging device -- but were unable to find anything because of heavy snowfall.

She was found Monday afternoon about a quarter mile from the road by a rest area near the Douglas County line.

"When we searched, we were nowhere near where she was located," said Lt. Ray Saylo.

A few bones, partially covered by snow, were discovered about 200 yards from Highway 50 and about three-quarters of a mile from the Carson City-Douglas County border.

A woman reportedly found the bones during a picnic lunch.