Police say bone matches the DNA of missing girl

HICKORY, N.C. — The mystery of how a 10-year-old girl was killed deepened Friday when police matched a bone to the girl and said they believed a set of remains uncovered five miles away were also hers.

The bone, found in brush alongside Zahra Baker's prosthetic leg, was discovered near where Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, 42, once lived. Baker is in jail, charged with trying to throw off investigators with a bogus ransom note.

Recently, she began cooperating with police and led them to the area where the remains were found, though she has not been charged in Zahra's death.

Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins said investigators matched the bone with Zahra's DNA.

"I've been dreading this moment from early on in the investigation," Adkins said. "We have recovered enough physical evidence to think we have found Zahra."

Police found a child's remains this week, and they need to be tested to make sure they are Zahra's, Adkins said.

Zahra, who had bone cancer that forced her to use a prosthetic leg and hearing aids, was reported missing by her father and stepmother Oct. 9. They said she was last seen in her bed at their home in Hickory.

Zahra was born in Australia and moved to North Carolina about two years ago, after her father, Adam Baker, met his soon-to-be wife, Elisa Baker, online.

Zahra's friends and relatives in Giru, Australia, described her as an outgoing, happy girl despite the cancer, and said she didn't want to come to the U.S.

"Investigators, agents, officers and staff who worked on this case are devastated that we were not able to find Zahra alive and bring her home safely," said Adkins, who wouldn't answer questions at a news conference.

Soon after Zahra was reported missing, investigators cast doubt on accounts given by Zahra's father and stepmother.

Adam Baker, 33, was arrested on charges unrelated to Zahra's disappearance and is free on bail.