Researchers may have found where Amelia Earhart died

Just days ago, news broke of a never-before-seen photo that investigators said could be proof that aviator Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, crash-landed in the Pacific 80 years ago. And now, there’s another fascinating update coming out of the remote island where the picture was apparently taken: Researchers may have discovered where Earhart died.

Albert Bresnik / AP

Amelia Earhart disappeared July 2, 1937.

In a special expedition sponsored by The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) and the National Geographic Society, four bone-sniffing dogs were brought to Nikumaroro Island, Kiribati, to find DNA evidence in hopes of proving that it was indeed Earhart in that picture.

The border collie dogs named Marcy, Piper, Kayle and Berkeley were brought to the island and specifically introduced to a ren tree site where subsequent excavations have indicated an American castaway could have been present. Remains of campfires, U.S.-made items such as a jackknife, a woman’s compact, a zipper pull and glass jars have all been found around the area.

Rachel Shea / National Geographic

Border collies helped with the investigation on Nikumaroro Island, Kiribati.

And now it seems as though there are possible human remains. At the site, all four dogs indicated they had detected the scent of human remains. Researchers say it’s clear that someone died beneath the tree, and it’s possible it was Earhart or Noonan.