Roaa Al Dhannoon's Ex-Husband Arrested For Murder

LAKEWOOD, OH — Fahad Saeed, 26, the ex-husband of Roaa Al Dhannoon, has been charged with aggravated murder and kidnapping, law enforcement announced on Thursday. He could face life in prison. Dhannoon had been missing since October 2016.

Law enforcement held a press conference on Thursday morning discussing developments in the case. After months of searching, police searched Big Creek Reserve in Brooklyn where they unearthed a container of remains. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office later identified the remains as Dhannoon's.

"This case did not end as we all had hoped," Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley said at the briefing.

Dhannoon was last seen October 16, 2016. She was reported missing three days later. Later that month, Saeed, was arrested and charged with violating a protection order issued by the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court as a result of their recent divorce. He is currently being held in Cuyahoga County Jail.

Captain Ed Hassing of Lakewood Police said the discovery of the remains moved the case forward after months of investigation. The cause of Dhannoon's death has not been determined.

Patch reported in December 2016 that Lakewood Police Chief Tim Malley described Dhannoon's disappearance as suspicious and "out of character" for her because, according to friends, she would never willfully abandon her 4-year-old son. Her son is currently safe and in protective custody.

The couple came into the United States three years ago from Iraq.

You can watch the press conference below.

Saeed is currently being held at Cuyahoga County Jail, police said. Incoming phone calls are not accepted for inmates at the county jail. Thomas Krause, the lawyer who defended Saeed in the October 2016 trial for violation of a protection order, said he is no longer representing Saeed and does not believe Saeed currently has legal representation.

Sources close to the investigation have said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have taken an interest in the case. ICE did not immediately return Patch's request for comment.

Photo and video from Rick Uldricks, Patch