Forensic analysts have identified the human remains found in Prairie Park on Oct. 16 as those of Antinette “Toni” Keller.

Forensic analysts were able to match DNA from a piece of femur bone to DNA swabs taken from Keller’s mother and father, said Bill Engerman, DeKalb County first assistant state’s attorney.

The identification was announced at the DeKalb County Courthouse Thursday morning during a court appearance for William P. Curl, 34, the man charged with Keller’s murder.

“To be able to confirm that the remains are [Keller’s] brings closure to that issue, at least,” said Clay Campbell, DeKalb County state’s attorney, during a press conference after the hearing. “[It is] a necessary step in the continued prosecution of this case.”

During the court proceedings, Engerman turned over forensic analysis documents to Regina Harris, DeKalb County public defender and Curl’s defense attorney. Engerman also gave Harris chain of custody documents detailing the handling of pieces of evidence during the course of the investigation.

DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen said during the press conference that he had notified Keller’s family of the identification prior to the hearing.

Curl appeared in court via closed-circuit TV from DeKalb County Jail.

Curl’s next court date is scheduled for Feb. 17 at 8:45 a.m. for a further status update on the evidence that Harris has received from the state’s attorney Thursday and from previous court dates.

“I’ve been tendered thousands of pages,” she said in court, “I’m going to need time to [review them].”