London, November 4 : US investigators have confirmed that the bone fragments found near a California plane crash site are that of US millionaire Steve Fossett.

Sheriff John Anderson said that the forensic investigators had found a DNA match between the two-and-a-half-inch long fragment with that of the missing adventurer.

The investigators had found the bones half a mile from the wreckage of Fossett’s single-engine plane after a hiker had spotted the pilot’s licence and ID cards.

Cops believe they were dragged from the crash scene by animals since they chew marks were found on a nearby driver’s licence and shoes.

Fossett''s widow, Peggy Fossett, released a statement expressing her gratitude to authorities hoping it will provide the munch-needed ‘closure’.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for me, and I am thankful to everyone who helped bring closure to this tragedy,” the Telegraph quoted her as saying.

The 63-year-old record holding aviator, who had become the first person to fly solo non-stop around the world in a plane, had taken off alone from a private airstrip in Nevada last September and had never returned. (ANI)