DNA reveals bones found in a fire pit were those of a missing Warren, OH girl

ASHTABULA COUNTY, OH (WOIO) - It was a minute bone fragment, but it was enough to help solve the case of 18-year-old Alisha Bell, missing from Warren since July 27.

But the collection of evidence at the Roaming Shores home of suspect James Brooks, 40, is ongoing because there could be other victims.

Three other teens are missing from Ashtabula and Warren.

Right now Brooks is charged only with drug offenses and abuse of a corpse.

With the confirmation of Alicia's death, a grand jury will consider more serious charges.

The unanswered question is, were Alisha Bell's remains the only ones in the fire pit behind Brooks' home?

He may have had associations with the other young women.

Sheriff William Johnson told Cleveland 19 News, "A lot of evidence is being processed as we speak, it will be a ways up the road until we get any identification if there is any additional."

That is as far as Sheriff Johnson would go regarding other victims.

Alisha Bell disappeared on July 27.

It is believed that Bell had contact with Brooks that day. While Sheriff Johnson confirmed her death, he would not comment on the many rumors concerning possible human trafficking or if a murder weapon was found.

"We recovered every possible piece of evidence that we could at the scene," Johnson said.

Brooks is in the Ashtabula County Jail on a $700,000 bond.

It may be impossible to determine a cause of death for Alisha as fragments are all that remain of her body.

Other evidence remains at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners lab for testing.

"We've been told that it may be another two weeks at the lab before any further evidence will be forthcoming," said Coroner Dr. Pam Lancaster.

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