SAN JOSE -- Human bones found near the Lexington Reservoir have been identified as the remains of an Oakland woman who has been missing since October 2007, authorities announced Friday.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department said forensic experts have identified the bones as those of Chiquita Ford, 34. The identification was made as part of a homicide investigation. Ford was reported missing last October by a woman who said she was her sister, according to Oakland police spokesman Roland Holmgren.

Holmgren said the woman who called police Oct. 22 said Ford hadn't been seen in two weeks and was last known to be staying at the Rio Motel at 526 West MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland.

Holmgren said the woman told police that Ford was known to frequent the motel, which he described as a low-income hotel.

He said police have had "limited contact" with Ford's family and are trying to re-establish contact with the woman who called police last October.

Holmgren said the missing persons unit's search for Ford was a lower priority than some cases because the woman told police that it wasn't unusual for Ford to go missing for a while and then resurface.

Authorities had come forward on March 12th with a photo of a black, Coogi brand, hooded sweatshirt found with the body that investigators believed Ford was wearing at the time of her death.

A transient found Ford's remains in unincorporated Santa Clara County in a rugged, rural area near Black and Beardsley roads at about 6 p.m. on March 7 while he was collecting recyclables.

Sgt. Don Morrissey said the nearby roads were mainly traveled only by residents who live along them.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Sgts. Herman Leon or Dean Baker at (408) 808-4500. For anonymous tips, call (408) 808-4431.