Investigators say the remains of a mother of four children who has been missing since January have been found in northern Wisconsin and she likely died of a gunshot wound.

Taylor County Sheriff Bruce Daniels says the death of 38-year-old Jean Viken of rural Medford is being investigated as a homicide.

Viken was last seen at her home the afternoon of Jan. 29. Her van was found Feb. 6 in dense woods of the Chequamegon National Forest in Ashland County.

Daniels says her remains were found Saturday about 12 miles northeast of Hawkins in Sawyer County by two fishermen who were walking to a creek.

Daniels says forensic tests indicated the probable cause of death was a gunshot wound.

AP