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Last updated on Monday, April 30, 2012
(NEW ALBANY) — Friends and family members of a woman whose remains were found in the back yard of a man’s home are lamenting her death.
The remains of Stephanie Kirk, 35, were discovered at the home of William "Clyde" Gibson III, 54, police said.
Kirk's family reported her missing about a month ago.
"It had to be read to me three times. I feel devastated," said Glenda Mahoney, Kirk's friend, adding that Kirk had been introduced to Gibson during their five-month friendship. "I'll never forget that day. I have nightmares about it."
Authorities used machines to dig up the back yard of Gibson's home Friday night. The discovery came after crews searched the Ohio River earlier in the week, without success.
Gibson, a convicted sex offender, had recently been charged with murder in two other killings -- those of Christine Whitis, 75, and Karen Hodella, 45, the latter from 2002.
Gibson has not been charged in the death of Kirk, but Mahoney and her daughter, Windy Lynch, have already drawn their own conclusions.
"I don't understand how somebody can do so something like that," Lynch said.
Mahoney and Lynch said Kirk was outgoing and was always smiling.
"She was pretty trusting. She was like my mom. She gave anyone the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise," Lynch said.
Police said Kirk was last seen at Mahoney's home in New Albany on March 25. The remains were identified primarily through dental records.
At the time of her disappearance, police said Kirk had gone to meet a man at a bar she had first met the night before.
Medical examiners said Kirk was strangled.
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