Remains of Missing Teen Identified--42 Years Later

After more than 40 years, the remains of a Tampa teenager have been unearthed at the one-time home of a convicted serial killer in Spring Hill.

17-year old Theresa Fillingim disappeared in 1980. Her sister, Margaret Johns, tells News Channel 8 she was contacted last year by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office for a DNA sample, and they recently told her the results. "So now," Johns said, "it gives me peace because I know I didn't lose her. She was taken."

The remains on property were found on the Hernando County property where convicted murderer Billy Mansfield used to live. Detectives searched the property after a tip from Mansfield's brother.

Johns said her one regret is that most of her family died without knowing what happened to Theresa.

"42 years is a long time," she said. "I don't want people to lose hope."

Billy Mansfield is currently in a California facility after he confessed to murdering five women in that state and in Florida.

photo: Getty Images


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