UPDATE: Authorities officially ID missing veteran’s body

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Coroner Office confirmed on Thursday the body found in Cactus City was that of missing San Diego woman, Julia Jacobson.

37-year-old Julia Jacobson was last seen in Ontario on the night of Sept. 2.

She was with her wheaten terrier, Boogie, according to a social media page dedicated to her.

At the time of her disappearance, Jacobson may have been planning to travel to Palm Springs or to Big Bear, her sister stated.

Despite not initially finding Jacobson’s body, Ontario police concluded that she met foul play following a forensic analysis of her car, found abandoned near her home.

Her ex-husband, Dalen Larry Ware, 39, was arrested on suspicion of murder at his home in Laveen, Arizona in October.

Ontario police said that with information provided by Ware, search efforts conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies led to the discovery of the grave, which also contained the dog’s remains, last Friday. Investigators have not disclosed the cause of death.

On Dec.1 Julia Jacobson’s brother, Jon Jacobson told KESQ News Channel 3 that finding Julia’s remain was bittersweet.

“It certainly feels bittersweet, on one hand, it feels good because we’re able to bring to conclusion her missing status,” said Jon Jacobson.

“You’re never excited or you’re not happy that the cops found your sister’s dead body, but it’s certainly better than the alternative which very likely could be 5 years, 10 years, 20 years from now and still not know,” Jon said.

Read: Investigators Search for Missing San Diego Woman’s Body

“One of the biggest things we want, to bring closure. She was somebody’s daughter, somebody’s sister, so that’s one of the biggest things,” said Corporal Fred Alvarez of the Ontario Police Department. “Everyone here that came out to help out, even volunteers, you know it’s for the family. We want to make sure they have some closeness also.”

“Well I think, there’s never going to be any closure. It’ll hopefully just be easier to deal with the loss day by day and at this point, it’s really up to the criminal justice system,” Jon said.

Read: Search for missing San Diego woman, last known contact in Palm Springs

Ware remains in custody on $1 million bail at the Adelanto Detention Center and is due in a Rancho Cucamonga courtroom next month.