A set of human remains found near Grande Prairie last month have been identified as a 19-year-old woman who was reported missing nearly six years ago.

Police say the remains of Rene Lynn Gunning were discovered on the Forestry Trunk Road, 60 kilometres south of Grande Prairie, on May 23rd by campers in the area.

The young woman's father is trying to cope with the news his daughter is now confirmed dead.

"It's something I've been dreading," said Rene's father, Jo Gunning.

Police reveal a second set of human remains were also located in the area, but have yet to be identified.

Gunning was last seen at West Edmonton Mall in Feb. of 2005 before telling friends she planned to hitchhike to Dawson Creek or Fort St. John, B.C.

When she went missing, she was in the company of 16-year-old Krystle Ann Julie Knott. Police say the whereabouts of Knott is still unknown.

Project KARE is working closely with the medical examiner to confirm the identity the second set of remains. Police won't speculate on how long that will take.

Nicole Blackley was Rene's neighbour growing up. She says she last saw her when Rene was about 16 or 17-years-old.

"She was one of those persons who could hang out with anybody, you know what I mean. She definitely had lots of friends. Always smiling. She loved her son. She would take him everywhere," she told CTV News.

Blackley says she was holding out hope Rene would show up one day.

"I think everyone kind of held out hope she would just show up one day...but at the same time, I knew that she wouldn't just leave her son, so I kind of figured something bad must have happened."

Investigators have determined Gunning and Knott did not know each other before they met at the mall the date they were last seen.

Police also stress the two women were not known to be involved in the sex trade, but because of their plans to hitchhike, it did put them at risk of becoming the victims of a crime.

Officers are requesting the public's assistance to help in their investigation.

"We still need the public's assistance. We realize it's six years ago, however, now as we put the pieces together of the puzzle, it narrows our focus. We are looking for specific information," said Sgt. Tim Taniguchi with RCMP "K" division.

Police are looking for information about where they liked to hang out and who they were associated with.

"Any sightings of Krystle Knott, the activities of the women on February 2005, any known hangouts or activities, any known acquaintances," added Taniguchi.

Anyone who may have seen the two women along Highway 16 and Highway 43 between Edmonton and Forestry Trunk Road is asked to call the Project KARE tipline at 1-877-412-5273.

With files from Laura Tupper