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Discovered Body ID'd as Missing Mother, Death Ruled Homicide

Frances Nash's 21-year-old son was arrested Monday night in Emporia, Virginia while allegedly driving a stolen vehicle

A body found Monday has been positively identified as that of a missing New Hampshire woman, according to investigators. The announcement comes one day after her son was arrested in Virginia for allegedly driving a stolen vehicle.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office confirmed the body found in Canterbury was that of 51-year-old Frances Nash, who was last heard from May 17. Her 21-year-old son, Phillip Nash, was arrested in in Emporia, Virginia, by state police Monday night.

New Hampshire law enforcement had been looking for the younger Nash after issuing an arrest warrant for him in connection with the theft of two stolen vehicles, including his mother's SUV.

"Right now, we don't know what connection there is," said Jeffery Strelzin, a senior assistant attorney general in New Hampshire. "This is obviously his mother and he may have information pertinent to her disappearance and death, pertinent to our ongoing investigation."

After an autopsy, Attorney General Gordon MacDonald announced that Frances Nash had died from multiple stab wounds, and that the manner of her death was homicide.

Investigators scoured the woods off Hackleboro Road in Canterbury Tuesday morning for any clues about what led to Nash's death.

Sunday night, on Facebook, Nash's other son posted a desperate plea to help find his mother. It was shared more than 4,000 times. By Tuesday, the tragic news had spread quickly as hundreds of people left their condolences for the family.

The Maxfield Public Library in Loudon, where Nash worked, closed its doors Tuesday. A post on its website said employees needed time to grieve the loss of their dear friend.

Phillip Nash will be extradited to face the theft charges in New Hampshire. Strelzin said that process could take weeks or even months. He was expected Tuesday in a Virginia courtroom to face a fugitive from justice charge. It's unclear if he has an attorney.

While no one has been charged in connection to the homicide, authorities do not believe there is any threat to the general public.

Anyone with information about the case, or about Frances Nash's activities since last week, is asked to call New Hampshire State Police at 603-271-3636.

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