Body found in eastern P.E.I. believed to be that of Summer Kneebone, police say

A body found in a remote area of Kings County, P.E.I., is believed to be the remains of 27-year-old Summer Kneebone, according to Charlottetown police.

In a news release Friday, police said detectives found the body at 11:40 a.m. The location in Kings County was not disclosed. 

"I struggle to call this a victory," lead investigator Det.-Sgt. Darren MacDougall told CBC News. "The sadness of the family, when you see it first-hand, it really is hard."

The remains were found outdoors on a rural property, and police have declared the area a crime scene.

The Native Council of Prince Edward Island issued a statement about the development Friday afternoon, saying: "With great sorrow, we have learned of the recovery of remains believed to be Summer Dawn Kneebone."

The organization, which said Kneebone had accessed its services in the past, had earlier launched a ground search for signs of her with the help of friends, relatives and volunteers.

"We will continue to stand with the family and remain an active presence of support," the statement continued. "During times of grief, a community chooses to rally together and unite as one. The Native Council community will remain united for Summer and her family."

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MacDougall said the police investigation still has to find answers to many questions surrounding Kneebone's disappearance.

"It's not over. We're still piecing a lot of this together," he said. "As we piece this together, we will continue to notify the public through media and other sources… There's still a lot of work to do here."

Two arrested earlier

Earlier this week, police arrested and charged two P.E.I. residents in connection with Kneebone's disappearance. 

Donald Roy Holmes, 44, and Samantha Jemima Parlee-Buell, 32, are facing charges under Section 182(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada of interfering with a dead body or human remains.

MacDougall said police had issued a Canada-wide warrant for their arrest.

They are both from Pembroke, just north of Murray Harbour in southeastern P.E.I., but were arrested in New Glasgow, N.S. 

Kneebone had been missing since Aug. 7. Police, family, friends and volunteers had been searching for her since she was reported missing a week later.

Kneebone's phone and bank cards had not been used since the night she vanished. 

Last Saturday, P.E.I.'s Missing Persons Act came into effect allowing police access to a missing person's phone and internet records — information they previously could only get during a criminal investigation.