Yvonne Whear, 73, was last seen alive on February 19 near Murwillumbah in NSW's Northern Rivers.
The disappearance of Ms Whear, who was likely murdered, immediately sparked a wide, impassioned search.
Eight months later, on October 5, trail-bike riders discovered a decomposed body in a livestock dip, used for bathing animals in pesticides, on crown land nearly 20km away from the town.
Acting Superintendent Matt Zimmer confirmed on Tuesday the remains belonged to Ms Whear, saying the circumstances were ''absolutely tragic''.
''Her family are devastated … they have described this loss as unimaginable grief, and you can't comprehend what they are going through this morning,'' the Tweed/Byron commander said.
''(Ms Whear's death) has not only affected her family; it's also had a significant impact upon the local community.
''It's created distress, and it has created some concern in what is a very tight-knit regional community.''
Ms Whear - an NDIS carer and hobby farmer - was a grandmother of 10, great grandmother to one and a ''cherished friend'', he added.
Specialist police are now tasked with further forensic testing and searching Ms Whear's former home.
Act Supt Zimmerman was tight-lipped about any information investigators had already gathered.
However, he moved to assure locals there was no cause for further alarm.
Ms Whears' daughter, Gillian Hallac, previously pleaded for ''even the smallest detail'' in the search for her mother.
Act Supt Zimmerman extended that appeal on Tuesday, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Ms Whear was last sighted on CCTV at a service station in Murwillumbah, buying orange juice after an art class at Tafe on February 19.
She was then seen driving north along Queensland Road toward her home in Dungay, about 5km from Murwillumbah centre.
Her boots and hat were found at the home and phone records revealed she watched some videos and checked her voicemail just before 5pm.
Ms Hallac had previously said she would never leave her animals - ducks, chickens, dogs, rabbits and cats - nor her family without contacting them.
Her phone pinged for the last time from a tower in nearby Dulguigan about 10am the next day.
Her car, a gold Ford Escape locals had been asked to look out for, was found and recovered from the nearby Rous River in September with personal items inside.
Police previously said they were unclear how long Ms Whears' body was at the site.
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