Lawyers Agree to Release Some of Keller's Remains

Some of the remains of will be released to her family in the next seven to 10 days, under a deal brokered by defense and prosecution attorneys.

While it's necessary to hold back some as evidence in the murder trial of William Curl, an unemployed 34-year-old DeKalb man accused of Keller's murder, the rest of the remains will be released to her family, DeKalb County State's Attorney Clay Campbell told The Associated Press.

At the request of defense attorney Regina Harris, a forensic anthropologist will determine how much needs to be retained as evidence.

Keller's family has held off on holding a memorial service until the remains are released.

"(Toni) needs to be at her own memorial," her cousin Mary Tarling said in the AP report.

Keller, a freshman art major at Northern Illinois University, was last seen Oct. 14, when she went for a mid-day walk in a park near campus. While her burned remains were found two days later, she wasn't positively identified until January because of the extent of damage to the body.

Curl was arrested in late October, and charged with five counts of murder and a single count each of sexual assault, arson and concealing a homicide. He remains held in DeKalb County Jail in lieu of $5 bond.