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Atheist leader's remains found on Texas ranch

AUSTIN, Texas (CNN) -- Remains found on a Texas ranch belong to that of missing atheist leader Madalyn Murray O'Hair and other family members, her daughter-in-law said Thursday.

Speaking from the Washington office of the Religious Freedom Coalition, Nancy Murray said the FBI notified the family of its findings a few days ago.

"They apparently found an artificial hip that had a serial number on it," said Murray, who is married to William Murray. "It was one that had been implanted in Mrs. O'Hair several years ago."

FULL TEXT Read the U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Abington School Dist. v. Schempp in which Madalyn Murray successfully challenged organized prayer in public schools (FindLaw)(PDF Format) Documents in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing.   LEGAL RESOURCES Latest Legal News Law Library FindLaw Consumer Center Select a topic Bankruptcy Discrimination Divorce Estate Planning Landlord-Tenant Personal Injury Taxes

The remains were found earlier this year and the FBI and forensic experts have been studying them for months.

Suspect David Waters is facing kidnapping and extortion charges in connection with the case.

O'Hair, her son, Jon Garth Murray and her granddaughter, Robin Murray O'Hair, disappeared along with $500,000 in gold coins from their home in Austin, Texas. Soon afterward, the search for them focused on Waters, who once worked as an office manager for O'Hair's American Atheist Organization and who was on probation for stealing $54,000 from the group.

O'Hair is best known for the lawsuit she filed resulting in the 1963 Supreme Court ban on organized prayer in public schools.

Her son, William, was estranged from his mother. His Washington-based group promotes religious issues.

O'Hair figure sentenced on federal weapons charge
August 8, 2000
Missing atheist case goes to Texas jury
May 30, 2000

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
American Athiests

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