Human remains found off the Angus coast belonged to Aberdeen woman Kelli Ferris.
The 40-year-old was last seen in her home city last September.
A Kirkcaldy-registered fishing vessel made the grim discovery of an undisclosed body part while netting in the North Sea, around seven miles from Arbroath, earlier this month.
Police today confirmed the remains belonged to Ms Ferris.
A spokesman said: “Kelli Ferris was reported missing on September 17 2014 after last being seen at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by a family member on September 9.
“Following Kelli’s disappearance an extensive investigation and search operation was conducted over a number of weeks which included the use of specialist police dogs and search teams.”
Detective Chief Inspector David Hadden said: “We have now been able to identify the remains found off the coast of Arbroath on Monday 6 April 2015 as Kelli Ferris.
“A major search operation was carried out following Kelli’s disappearance and enquiries have not revealed any suspicious circumstances.
“We hope this identification gives Kelli’s family some form of closure and our thoughts are with her family at this time.”
Kelli’s mother Catherine Sandison had already said she feared the worst, and described her daughter’s disappearance as like “a nightmare”.