Jim Ceci, Lori Bova's father, is pictured in July inside his West Ellicott home. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

The discovery of human remains this week in northern Chautauqua County has given the family of Lori Ceci Bova hope that the next step toward closure might finally be near — and if not for them then another family.

“I’ve always said it will be the happiest sad day of my life,” Renee Shutters said in an interview Thursday of the day she hears her sister has been found.

Added Jennifer Shields, another sister of Bova, “Of course, if it’s the outcome we’re looking for that’s wonderful and sad at the same time. I guess what I’m trying to say is if it’s the outcome we want with it being positive with Lori, we will certainly be able to close that chapter. If it’s not Lori, it’s that heartbreak that we’ve experienced in the past but means another family will get that closure.”

A hiker came across human remains Sunday evening just off a trail on Woleben Road in the town of Portland. Then on Monday, another set of remains were discovered by Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies and later confirmed to be human.

Sheriff James Quattrone said it appears the first set of remains were likely there for a while, possibly decades, that could potentially rule out Bova. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), there are three open missing person cases involving women in Chautauqua County: Bova, Corrie Anderson and the 27-year-old Patricia M. Laemmerhirt, who went missing in 1976 from her home in Westfield. It could also mean the remains are of people not reported missing or from the county.

Lori Bova is pictured with her husband, Tyrone.

The skeletal remains found this week are currently being analyzed by forensic experts in Erie, Pa., for possible identification.

Shields and Shutters have long been strong advocates for their sister. Bova was last seen in public at the age of 26 around 10:30 p.m. on June 7, 1997, at Red Lobster on Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood. Bova’s husband, Tyrone, told police that he and Lori had gotten into an argument hours after that meal and left their home.

Bova’s disappearance prompted numerous searches at the time. The Lakewood woman has not been seen or heard from since that night.

Quattrone met with Shields, Shutters and their father, Jim Ceci, on Wednesday — a gesture that was warmly received by the family. “It was wonderful for him to take the time out,” Shutters said.

Jim Ceci said he was told the remains likely aren’t of his daughter based on an initial analysis, but remains hopeful that Bova will one day be found.

Nonetheless, hearing that bodies have been found has opened healed wounds.

“Every time when something like this happens it takes you right back to where it all started and all the emotions,” Ceci told The Post-Journal. “She’s one of the loves of my life and (I’m) never giving up.”

The family was also glad to hear that the county — including the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office — was looking to establish a unit for open cases. Among cases that could be given a fresh look include Bova and Anderson.

“We were really excited about hearing that,” Shutters said.

Regarding this week’s discoveries, the sisters are hopeful a family may soon receive closure. “If this isn’t our miracle, we know that it means it is for someone else,” Shutters said.

Shields added, “Either we will get our closure, or we just move on to never giving up and hope that someday will be our turn.”