The body of Cynthia Moreland, 48, was found in the woods behind an abandoned barn about three miles east of Coats. A local couple gathering firewood stumbled on the body.
Authorities are still conducting tests to determine a cause of death, said Kevin Garity, of the state Medical Examiner's Office in Chapel Hill.
Moreland was last seen early Aug. 22 when she dropped her husband off at work. She pulled her car into a downtown Raleigh parking garage a short time later and hasn't been heard from since, although her abandoned car was found the next day in southeast Raleigh.
Antonio Chance, 29, of Garner, who police said tried to use Moreland's debit card at a Raleigh discount store shortly after her disappearance, has been charged with kidnapping in the case.
There was no word Saturday on whether other charges are pending against him.
A bouquet of flowers was placed outside the Harnett County barn Saturday, but it was unclear who left them. Moreland's family said they were too distraught to comment on her death.
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