Nov 3, 2008, 22:17 GMT
Los Angeles - The bones found recently at the crash site of adventurer Steve Fossett's plane have been identified as those of the famous millionaire, officials said Monday.
Fossett, 63, disappeared while on a solo flight from a Nevada ranch on September 3, 2007. He vanished as he was apparently trying to find a site to attempt an assault on the world land speed record.
The bones, along with credit cards, cash, a driver's license and clothing were found last week by a search-and-rescue team near the site where his plane was discovered this September by a hiker.
Madera County officials Sheriff John Anderson said DNA tests on the bones were conclusive.
'Out of deference to Steve Fossett's surviving family members, who have struggled with their loss for the past 14 months, Sheriff (John) Anderson felt a detailed description of those bones would be neither sensible nor prudent,' the statement said.
'What his family has wanted for over a year now - what his family has needed - is closure.'
A billionaire financial trader, Fossett set 116 records in sailboats, powered aircraft, balloons, airships and gliders.
He also swam the English Channel, drove in the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race, competed in Hawaii's Ironman Triathlon, sailed solo across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, climbed Argentina's 23,000-foot Aconcagua peak and competed in Alaska's Iditarod Trail sled dog race.
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