Missing woman’s family speaks out

The past few days have been a whirlwind for Carol Dowless’ family. She has been missing since September 2005 and remains found Tuesday are believed to be hers. Family members gathered at the home of Dowless’ father, Roger Batten, on Thursday, to speak about their loved one, known to them as Prissy. “We know in our heart that it is Prissy, we were hoping it weren’t and we are just waiting for the outcome,” Batten said.

The remains were found in a wooded area in Chadbourn Tuesday, close to Batten’s home. Columbus County Sheriff Chris Batten said he is confident the bones are Dowless’. He said at least two different people led authorities to the spot, based on information they learned from others. Batten said the tipsters are not suspects.

Monica Caison from the CUE Center for Missing Persons has been helping the family in the search and said, “Of course it is devastating for the family because they were hoping that Carol would be possibly out there.”

A missing person billboard with Dowless’ picture was unveiled a few weeks ago and many said it played a key part in generating tips. The remains were sent to Chapel Hill for testing and results are expected early next week.

There have been no arrests in this ongoing case.