Hammond was last seen selling magazines at a mobile home park in Ballston Spa, near Saratoga Springs in August 2003.

She was 18-years-old at the time. She lived in Roxborough Park.

Hammond was reported missing when she did not report back to her employer, Atlantic Circulation, Inc.

New York State Police said Hammond had made arrangements for a bus ticket home to Colorado before she vanished.

Hammond never picked up the ticket and her belongings were found in a motel in Albany.

Authorities said a hunter found a skull in a remote area in Saratoga County.

Dental records tied the bone remains to Hammond.

Authorities were unable to locate Hammond's parents before making the announcement.

"We've got the local police departments in Colorado trying to find the family and get word to them but we cant wait any longer," Saratoga County Sheriff Jim Bowen said. "We just hope and pray that the family understands."

Bowen said the case remained on the minds of investigators, even though it did not attract much media attention.

"We never [forgot]. We called six months ago and checked with the father to see if she had ever returned. And the father hadn't heard anything from her," Bowen said.