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Bodies of Two Elderly Women Found

By Associated Press

Buffalo, NY – Two bodies were found inside containers Saturday in a storage building in Colden, where about 100 volunteers and police were searching for two elderly women missing for several months.

The building stands across the road from the residence of Robert J. Henchen, 42, who was arrested in Jan, 19 on parole violations and was "a person of interest" in the disappearances, Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard said. Henchen has also been charged with an unrelated burglary in Orchard Park and remains jailed, the sheriff said.

Nancy G. Phelps, 69, of Marilla, was last seen at a Bible study group in Alden on Jan. 14. Authorities said foul play was suspected after finding blood inside her garage, and blood and a tooth outside. There had also been no sign of Geraldine Jackson, 87, of Colden, since her house burned to the ground Dec. 22.

Both women lived alone.

Howard said searchers found the bodies Saturday afternoon after Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark reported receiving an anonymous tip.

"We discovered human remains in two separate 30-gallon containers. one cardboard, one plastic," Howard said. Each container held one body. They were not immediately identified and were taken by the medical examiner.