By NC WANTED Staff

Posted: Jun 12, 2008
Updated: Jul. 15, 2009

ROBESON COUNTY — It's been nearly two years since the skeletal remains of a missing Maxton girl were discovered near her home in Robeson County.

An autopsy report released to NC WANTED determined that 16-year-old Lisa Hohman was murdered, but the cause and manner of death were unknown.

Her remains were found on New Year's Day 2008. Lisa had been missing for more than two and a half years , and the autopsy suggested the girl's body had been left out in the open -- unburied -- until nothing was left but her skeleton. The remains were nearly complete and undisturbed, except for a few missing hand bones.

The last time anyone claims seeing Lisa was May 31 2005. NC WANTED is investigating how a family and community searching for a missing teen can overlook a body decomposing near her own backyard. The exact location she was found and names of neighbors of the home near where Lisa was found have not been released to the public.

Investigators with the Robeson County Sheriff's Office did not return several calls for additional information.

Because no injuries were found on the skeleton other than what is to be expected, it was impossible for the Medical Examiner to determine a cause of death. The autopsy does determine, however, that Lisa was murdered, stating that "this young woman's death was most likely the result of external forces."

If you have information on this case, call NC WANTED toll free at 1.866.43.WANTED (1.866.439.2683) or click on "Report a Tip" Your identity can be kept confidential.