Authorities in Mississippi allege that human remains found in a couple's backyard belong to the husband's elderly mother who was reported missing just days earlier. Police continue to investigate the possible unreported death of Carol Ryan, who was 81. A relative who was concerned about Ryan after failing to get a hold of her for "several months" reported her missing on December 22, leading detectives right to her son John Ryan's door. When they spoke to John, 50, and his wife, Samantha Ryan, police were allegedly told that Carol was no longer living with them but had been moved into a nursing home in Brandon, a town several miles away. Of course, detectives would eventually learn that was a lie, after allegedly checking in with the four nursing homes operating in Brandon. Authorities then decided to immediately pursue a search warrant for the couple's Jackson property, and cadaver dogs were brought in to inspect the grounds. The police dogs marked the sites of several dead bodies, according to police who spoke to Us Weekly by phone. All but the one belonged to deceased pets, and like the recovered human remains, were found encased in concrete. Later, excavators "were brought into the scene to conduct a dig in the backyard," Jackson Police Chief Tyree Jones told reporters during a press conference last week. Jones added that the coroner still needed to confirm that the body found in the shallow grave is Carol's. Family members have been providing DNA samples to investigators to help confirm Carol's identity. At this point, Jones said that the case has been split into two separate investigations: the death of the person found buried in the backyard as well as Carol's disappearance, as she is still officially considered a missing person. Authorities said that they are unable to discuss a possible cause of death in this case but added they have found no evidence of foul play at this point. Nevertheless, Jones said that the death is still highly suspicious, for the mere fact that the body was wrapped in tarp and buried in a shallow grave covered with concrete in a backyard with a host of dead pets. Pennsylvania Couple Lived With a Decomposing Body to Collect Benefits Police did say that they believe the recovered body was buried "long before" Carol was actually reported missing and expect testing will confirm the body is hers. According to Jones, investigators have learned from neighbors Carol lived with her son and daughter-in-law for a period of time, but none of the neighbors could remember the last time they saw her at the house. The couple were arrested on Wednesday, December 24, after being formally charged with desecrating a human corpse, according to online arrest records. The Jackson Police Department and the Jackson County Coroner's Office could not be reached for comment on Monday, December 29. John and Samantha, 48, are being held at the Hinds County Jail - John on a $100,000 bond and Samantha on $75,000 bond. Both have already appeared before a judge, but Us Weekly was unable to determine Monday if pleas were entered.