Oregon Public Broadcasting

Authorities say they have recovered the remains of a young Oregon woman who's been missing and presumed dead for several years. April Baer reports.

Brooke Wilberger was home on break from Brigham Young University when she disappeared from the Corvallis apartment complex where she'd been helping her sister.

Joel Courtney has been in custody since spring 2008, facing charges for her murder.

Benton County Prosecutor John Haroldson says Courtney has pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, and has been sentenced to life in prison, with no possibility of release.

As part of the plea deal, Haroldson's office received information that led investigators to Wilberger's remains.

Wilberger's parents, who live in Veneta, have said in the past they would accept such a plea deal, if the district attorney could arrange it.