Body found in rural Furnas County identified as missing Lincoln woman, police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Authorities have identified a body found in rural Furnas County as a Lincoln woman who went missing last year.

At a press conference on Monday, the Lincoln Police Department said Jerica Hamre’s body was discovered in a farm’s outbuilding near Oxford on Dec. 17.

The body of Jerica Hamre has been found. It’s not the outcome any of us wanted — our hearts are broken for her family and loved ones.

LPD wants to thank all of you — thousands on social media — who shared about her disappearance, called in tips and kept her story in the news. pic.twitter.com/GrRmoJGvuG

— Lincoln Police (@Lincoln_Police) December 22, 2025

Authorities said a man was working in a field when he discovered the body and called the Furnas County Sheriff’s Office.

“Several searches were conducted by law enforcement, friends, family and community groups in an effort to find Jerica,” Capt. Ben Miller said. “The effort of searching over 1,000 square miles of timber, lakes, rivers and farmland was daunting and never ended as the commitment to find her was unwavering.”

The Nebraska State Patrol said the body had been in the outbuilding “for quite some time.”  An autopsy conducted shortly after the body was found confirmed it was Hamre.

“We are working with forensic experts to determine and narrow down a timeframe,” Miller said. “Based on the investigation to this point, in combination to the recovery of Jerica, this death is being investigated as a homicide.”

Hamre, 30, was reported missing by her parents on July 3, 2024.  She was last heard from on June 25, 2024, according to LPD.

Investigators have noted that a person of interest is in custody on unrelated charges.

“Our hearts break for Jerica’s family and friends, who for the last 18 months have been searching for answers,” Capt. Miller said.

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