Investigators in Tennessee confirmed in a press conference Monday that human remains found in Decatur County Sunday were those of Holly Bobo.

"My original goal was to find Holly; my new goal is to see to it that the people who did this are punished," Sheriff Keith Byrd said during the conference.

The family of Holly Bobo also released a statement Monday night, which was read at the press conference by their attorney.

"On behalf of Holly, we would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult saga," it read. "Our friends have been unwavering in their support, and the authorities have been diligent in their pursuit of justice. We will never understand the actions or motives of those who took Holly from us, but we continue to pray that someone will have the courage to step forward and shed more light on this senseless tragedy.

"Those responsible will be afforded a trial. As an innocent victim, Holly had no such right. They can appeal the verdict if they choose to do so; Holly was given no such choice. Although in prison they can breathe, see God's wonders of this Earth and visit with their loved ones. Not Holly."

In closing the family asked for privacy at this time, that it was a "time for grieving" their loss.

A human skull was discovered by two men Sunday morning while searching for ginseng. The remains were located in a wooded area off a county road near Holladay, Tennessee.

Bobo was last seen on April 13, 2011 in her family's home.

Police arrested Zachary Adams and Jason Wayne Autry earlier this year with first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping charges in connection with Bobo's disappearance. Stepbrothers Jeffrey and Mark Pearcy were charged with tampering with evidence and accessory after the fact.