The Southland Firestorm: Holding the Line : Remains Identified as Missing Ad Saleswoman : Coroner: Bones belong to Nancy Huter, a Thousand Oaks resident who disappeared in ’92.

The search for Nancy Huter, a Thousand Oaks woman who disappeared in Malibu Creek State Park more than 1 1/2 years ago, ended Wednesday when forensic experts identified remains uncovered by a fire near Point Mugu as those of the missing woman.

A forensic dentist confirmed that the skeletal remains discovered on the fringe of Mugu Lagoon last week belonged to Huter, a 36-year-old ad saleswoman who disappeared March 3, 1992.

Medical examiners have been unable to determine how Huter died, but they are treating the death as a probable homicide, said Jim Wingate, senior deputy coroner.

“Since most of the body was intact, our belief is the body was placed there and had not been moved before we found it,” Wingate said. The body was discovered by utility crews near Pacific Coast Highway after fire destroyed the high brush that covered the site.

The coroner’s office used X-rays to search for possible bullet fragments but found none, Wingate said.

Navy investigators were originally in charge because the body was found inside the perimeter fence of the Point Mugu Naval Air Weapons Station. They have since turned the case over to the Ventura County sheriff’s major crimes unit.

Huter was reported missing by her parents when she failed to report to work and missed a Bible study class. Sheriff’s investigators immediately treated the report as serious because Huter, a single woman who lived with a female roommate, led an orderly and predictable life, Sheriff’s Lt. Craig Husbands said.

“She was a very responsible person, hard-working, very religious and friendly,” Husbands said. “That’s why when she failed to keep some appointments, people were concerned right away that something was wrong.”

A ranger at Malibu Creek State Park later reported seeing Huter walking along Mulholland Highway near the rain-swollen Las Virgenes Creek a day before she was reported missing. The sighting occurred shortly after Huter’s last known business appointment at a Canoga Park restaurant.

Huter’s white Honda Accord hatchback was found in the park three days after her disappearance. Although her purse was missing from the car, detectives found no sign of a struggle. Searchers also discovered Huter’s western-style boots near Las Virgenes Creek.