The prime suspect in the 1980 murder of a Saxonburg police chief lived 19 years on the run after the incident, according to investigators.

FBI officials believe Donald Eugene Webb passed away about 18 years ago in 1999.

On Thursday, human remains were found buried near Webb's wife's house in North Dartmouth, Mass. They have been confirmed to be those of Webb, who was accused of killing Police Chief Greg Adams during a traffic stop in Saxonburg on Dec. 4, 1980.

Following autopsy results conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Massachusetts, the remains were positively identified as Webb on Friday using a comparison of dental records.

The FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Saxonburg Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, and the Bristol County District Attorney's Office in Massachusetts worked together to recover the remains buried in the back of the property owned by Webb's wife, Lillian, located at 28 Maplecrest Drive.

Adams was 31 when he was beaten and shot in the chest and under an arm with a .25-caliber Colt pistol, according to the original affidavit of probable cause. He also suffered head injuries, but was able to shoot his assailant in the leg during what started out as a routine traffic stop.

Before his death, Adams was able to report Webb's license plate number. A driver's license was found near the scene bearing the name of one of Webb's many aliases.

The white Mercury Cougar Webb was believed to be driving was found in Warwick, R.I., a few weeks later, but he was never found.

On Dec. 31, 1980, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Webb after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, and first-degree murder.

Butler attorney Tom King, who represents Adams' widow, Mary Ann (Adams) Jones and her sons, Benjamin Adams and Gregory Adams Jr., said his clients agreed to not pursue the more than $1 million civil lawsuit filed against Lilian Webb and her son, Stanley Webb, in exchange for information leading to Thursday's discovery.

“We agreed as part of this arrangement with Mrs. Webb to lead us to the body, to not pursue the civil case,” he said.

The FBI previously questioned Lillian Webb about the whereabouts of her husband, and last month announced a reward of up to $100,000 for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest or recovery of his remains.

Police recently had a break in the case when investigators found a hidden room on the other side of a closet in Lillian Webb's house.

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said the discovery closes the book on the long-unresolved homicide case.

“For all intents and purposes this case is resolved,” he said. “It has been a long time coming. I hope that this gives the family some closure and allows them to move on and gives the community of Saxonburg some closure as well,” he said.

King said the discovery is both a “sad day and yet a great day” for his clients.

“It is sad because it brings back all the memories that this family has suffered, but it is also great because the long blue line of law enforcement — the FBI to Pennsylvania State Police, the Massachusetts State Police, prosecutors in Massachusetts, down to the sheriff's office and the Saxonburg Police — everyone in law enforcement who was asked to help did and stuck with it,” he said. “The family is most grateful for all the great work done on this case.”

Webb was one of the longest tenured fugitives ever to appear on the FBI's “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list. He was added to the list on May 4, 1981, and removed on March 31, 2007. He also was the only fugitive in the United States wanted for the murder of a police chief.

“For almost 37 years, the family of Chief Adams, and the citizens of Saxonburg have been awaiting news of Donald Eugene Webb's whereabouts. The FBI is grateful to have been able to play a role in helping to resolve this case. Although it's unfortunate Mr. Webb will never be brought to justice to pay for his crimes, we're hopeful the family can find some closure in knowing that this alleged murderer has been located,” Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, said in a news release.

Capt. Steven J. Ignatz, Commanding Officer of Troop D, Butler said in a release that, “Numerous investigators — including those retired for many years — have worked tirelessly and collaboratively over that span of time to make sure that Chief Adams' family and the people of Saxonburg would see the day that Webb was located.”

Saxonburg Police Chief Joseph Beachem added, “We're beyond proud of the efforts by the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, and Massachusetts State Police in doggedly working to resolve this case. The biggest question in the history of Saxonburg has been answered. Our thoughts are with the family and we hope this eases their minds, if even only slightly. While the hurt will continue, at least doubt about what happened that day has been eliminated.”