Animal rights activists stole the remains of a woman who once operated a guinea pig breeding farm, British police said.

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The remains of Gladys Hammond, 82, were discovered Tuesday in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire. They had been stolen from the grave two years ago, Sky News reported.

A police spokesman said a pathologist had examined the remains.

"Although further DNA tests have still be carried out to confirm identity," said the spokesman, "detectives are satisfied that the body recovered is that of Gladys Hammond."

Hammond's body was taken from St Peter's churchyard in Yoxall, Staffordshire, in October 2004.

Hammond and her son-in-law co-owned a guinea pig breeding farm, which activists wanted closed because its rodents were utilized in biomedical research. Four animal rights activists have admitted to conspiracy to blackmail in connection with the campaign against David Hall and Partners, the owners of Darley Oaks Farm.

The Hall family stopped breeding guinea pigs in January.