List of unidentified murder victims in the United States

Of the thousands of people murdered every year in the United States, several remain unidentified. Many of these individuals remain unidentified for years or even decades after their deaths. These cases include that of Tammy Jo Alexander, who was murdered in 1979 and remained an unidentified decedent until 2015,^[1] Reet Jurvetson, who was murdered in 1969 and whose body remained unidentified for 46 years,^[2] and Alisha Heinrich, a toddler thrown alive from the Interstate 10 bridge in 1982 and identified via genetic genealogy in 2020.^[3]

Including murder victims and those who died via natural causes or otherwise, approximately 40,000 decedents remain unidentified in the United States.^[4][5]

Alabama[]

Mobile County Jane Doe (1976)[]

On May 18, 1976, a middle aged to elderly white woman was found floating in Sessions Creek at the Potter Tract Road bridge, a mile south of Grand Bay, Alabama. She had been shot in the head, had her hands severed, and then been dumped in the creek, partially in a garbage bag. She was estimated to be between 50 and 60 years old, was 5 feet 3 inches tall, and weighed 140 pounds. She had brown hair that measured four inches in length and had green eyes, as well as a mole above her lip. She was also missing all of her teeth. She was wearing a yellow pullover blouse, a pair of green slacks, and a strap of brassiere cut on her back.^[6]

Convicted murderer, Henderson Williams, is believed to have a connection to the case.^[7]

The Mobile County Sheriff's Office stated in February 2021 that they would be pursuing forensic genealogy to help find the woman's identity.

Tuscaloosa County Jane Doe[]

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Tuscaloosa County Jane Doe was a white female aged between 34 and 38^[8] whose body was found in Slaughter Creek,^[9] near the Sipsey River in Romulus, Tuscaloosa County on April 18, 1982.^[10] She had been beaten and sexually assaulted, strangulation being the cause of death.^[11]

She was 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed approximately 110 to 115 pounds, had a ruddy complexion (indicating that she regularly engaged in outdoor activity), wore an upper partial denture and had dark-brown, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes.^[12] She also had a visible scar beneath her right eyebrow. This decedent wore tennis shoes, knitted blue pants, a long-sleeved blue shirt, and white undergarments.

It is possible that she was fishing at the area and was killed at the scene, as disturbances of the earth were discovered at the location of her discovery.^[13] Moreover, she may have given birth to at least one child in her lifetime, and her body showed evidence of her having performed manual labor. Her remains were exhumed in 2013 both for additional examination and to obtain a DNA sample.^[14][15]

Mobile County John Doe (1996) []

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On April 9, 1996, the decomposing body of a middle aged male was found by two fishermen, floating inside of a sack in Greenwood Bayou in Mobile County, Alabama. He was found bound with ligatures, and cause of death was determined to be ligature strangulation as well as blunt force trauma to the head. Investigators estimate that he had died hours or a few days before. He was estimated to be between 40 and 65 years old, was approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed between 103 and 120 pounds. He had medium length brown hair as well as a beard. Two stainless steel surgical rods had been implanted in the man's lower back around the 1960s. He was found wearing Hanes boxers, blue 'Rustler' brand jeans, a black belt, a 'Carriage Street' brand beige shirt, and a Rolex watch. He was also found with various effects, such as two 'Cross' brand pens, a yellow metal necklace with an eagle pendant, a yellow metal ring with a clear stone, a Torx wrench and a dental plate. The area he was found in is accessible from the Chickasabogue Creek near Route 43, and is popular with fishermen.^[16]

Marshall County John Doe[]

On April 15, 1997, the mummified remains of a young white male were found by a fisherman who was trying to fish in the Ruth community in Marshall County, Alabama. Cause of death was not certain, but is being treated as a homicide. He was estimated to be between 19 and 34 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighed 120 pounds. Hair color and eye color could not be ascertained, however sandy/reddish body hair was found on the remains. He was found wearing a short sleeve, vertically striped, blue, green, and gray "Faded Glory" pullover shirt, and a pair of Levi jeans. Investigators believe he was killed elsewhere before his body was deposited at the location.

Jefferson County John Doe (2007) []

On July 16, 2007, investigators followed an anonymous tip that led to the skeletal remains of an adult black male in Birmingham, Alabama. The man was found buried in a shallow grave behind an abandoned textile company near train tracks, and had died of homicide by beating. Investigators estimate he had been deceased since February of that year. His age could only be estimated as above 18. He was also estimated to be 6 feet tall and weighed approximately 150 pounds. Eye and hair color could not be determined. He was found wearing a sleeveless navy vest jacket with a logo reading "American Valve & Hydrant" and "Beaumont, Texas 1997 Safety Award", as well as a long sleeve green sweatshirt with "Regions" written on the front, a pair of blue denim jeans, a dark leather belt with a simple silver metal buckle, crew length socks, a pair of dark plaid boxer shorts, and a wrist watch with a face that had two hands. He also was found with a pair of eyeglasses to correct farsightedness. The tipsters that called in about the tip claimed that they were the assailants who had killed the man, and that they had disposed of the man's identification. They also claimed that the victim had ridden a train from Texas.^[17]

Elmore County Jane Doe[]

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On July 22, 2007, the partial skeletal remains of a young possibly African American woman were found on private property in Titus, Alabama. The property owner claimed to have found the remains while gardening, and stated that he had seldom visited the property since 1991. The woman was found wrapped in a 6-by-8 foot green tarp, secured by rope. She was estimated to be between 30 and 40 years old, and was approximately 5 feet tall. She had long, dark brown hair. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. Evidence was found that lime had been poured around the body in order to mask the smell.^[18]

Opelika Jane Doe[]

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The skull of a girl of African heritage was discovered on January 28, 2012. More of her bones were also subsequently recovered, as well as some of her hair and a long-sleeved pink shirt with heart-shaped buttons. Examiners concluded that she was between four and seven years old at the time of her death and had black hair. She is also presumed to have been "abused and malnourished" while alive and her death is presumed to be murder. Her height, weight and eye color could not be determined because of the advanced state of decomposition of her remains.^[19] The girl had likely died between 2011 and 2012. The victim has since been forensically reconstructed by the FBI Victims Identification Project and currently has her DNA being processed to compare to potential matches. An isotopic analysis indicated she was from Alabama or a neighboring state.^[20]

In 2016, the facial features of Opelika Jane Doe were forensically reconstructed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Subsequently, the photographs of an unidentified child seen at a Vacation Bible School in 2011 were linked with her. The child seen alive appeared to be neglected and could have suffered abuse, as she had visible damage to one of her eyes.^[21]

Alaska[]

"One-Eyed Jack"[]

On August 20, 1979, the skeletal remains of a man were discovered in Tok, Alaska. The decedent had apparently hitchhiked to Alaska in 1978 with another man and was then murdered by his companion. He was 6 feet tall, weighed approximately 185 pounds, and was less than 40 years old when he was murdered. The man's left eye was missing, and he wore a distinctive leather eye patch, which may play a crucial role in his future identification. Another feature pertaining to his identity is that he had long brown hair worn with a headband.^[22]

"Eklutna Annie"[]

Eklutna Annie is a young white female (with possible Native American heritage) whose body was discovered on July 21, 1980, in Eklutna, Anchorage, Alaska. This decedent is believed to have been in her late teens or early twenties at the time of her murder.^[23]

Serial killer Robert Hansen confessed to murdering this woman, claiming she was either a prostitute or a dancer whom he stabbed in the back as she attempted to escape from his vehicle in late 1979.^[24]

"Horseshoe Harriet"[]

The remains of a woman were found on April 25, 1984,^[25] near in Palmer, Alaska.^[26] She had been stabbed and shot.^[27] Like Eklutna Annie, she is believed to have been a victim of serial killer Robert Hansen; Hansen led police to her body.^[28]

"Horseshoe Harriet" was between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall. She was most likely between the ages of 19 and 20 when she was murdered.^[29] Along with her remains were found a scarf, coat, brassiere, tennis shoes, a sweater, jeans, socks, and leg warmers. Other items found were cigarettes, a comb, a compact, and condoms.^[30] Her remains were exhumed in 2014 for additional forensic examination.^[28][31][32]

Arizona[]

Arkansas[]

White County John Doe []

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On April 20, 1989, the decomposing remains of a white male were discovered under a bridge in a deserted, rural area in Beebe, Arkansas. Cause of death was found to be multiple gunshots from a small caliber firearm. He was estimated to be between 18 and 60 years old, was 6 feet tall and weighed 226 pounds.He had brown hair and brown eyes, as well as a beard. He was also described as having a stocky build. He was found wearing a red T-shirt, 'Dickeys' brand slacks, and white socks. Investigators believe that he may have been murdered elsewhere and dumped in the desolate area and may not have been native to the area. It is also believed that it is possible that the man may not even be native to the United States.^[33]

Benton County Jane Doe[]

On May 7, 1990, several bones were discovered near State Route 102 near the Missouri state line, eight miles west of Decatur, Arkansas. They belonged to a young white female, who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound to the head, as multiple buckshot pellets were found under the skull. The remains had been extensively run over with a vehicle as well as burned, trying to make identification impossible, however DNA was able to be taken. The woman was between 25 and 35 years old, and was 5 feet 5 inches tall. Weight, hair color, and eye color could not be ascertained. The only items of clothing able to be recovered were just small scraps of women's clothing, after they had been burned. A neighbor stated that he had seen a fire burning in the area where the woman was found in February that year, but did not investigate as they assumed it was just a neighbor burning trash.^[34]

El Dorado Jane Doe[]

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Photograph prior to victim's death

A woman estimated to be anywhere between 18 and 30 years of age was found deceased on July 10, 1991, in El Dorado, Arkansas in Room 121 of the Whitehall Motel. The decedent is known to have used multiple names, including Cheryl Ann Wick (which she used from a stolen identification card), Kelly Carr/Karr, Shannon Wiley, and Mercedes. She was known to have lived in various states prior to her death, including Texas, where she apparently worked as a sex worker. Other reports explain she had been arrested in the past, using several of her aliases and had possibly been involved in a bank robbery on the East Coast.^[35] She had been shot to death by her boyfriend who was convicted of her murder, although the woman remains unidentified.^[36]

A second cousin of the victim living in Alabama was identified by a genealogist using genetic genealogy after uploading the unidentified woman's autosomal DNA to the GEDmatch database. The cousin did not recognize the victim but stated she resembled members of the family.^[37][38]

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Benton County John Doe[]

The decomposed remains of a man were discovered in the Beaver Lake in Rogers, Benton County, Arkansas on October 16, 1996. His body was concealed in a sleeping bag which had floated to the surface, possibly after breaking loose from whatever tethers may have been weighing his body beneath water. He was a white male aged between 30 and 60 years old, standing at five feet nine inches to five feet eleven inches tall, with a case of myositis ossificans on one of his arms. He may have been subjected to heavy labor in life, possibly being a logger or a weight lifter. His teeth had been stained, perhaps from coffee or tobacco use. He had at least one tooth removed along with having one filling; his front teeth showed a large amount of wear. He had suffered a blow to the forehead with a blunt instrument, and had died as early as 1995. Along with the sleeping bag, two pillows were found that belonged to a medical center and the deteriorated remnants of boxer shorts and one sock were worn by the decedent.^[39]

Pulaski County Jane Doe (2002)[]

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The skeleton of a black woman between 18 and 40 years of age was discovered in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas on August 18, 2002. She had been shot in the head and was hidden underneath a pile of insulation. She wore several articles of clothing, some of which were designed for men. Several pennies and a dollar bill were found in the pockets of her shirt and windbreaker pants. Her nose had been broken and her septum was reportedly slanted to the left side. Multiple ribs had previously healed from fractures.^[40]

California[]

Colorado[]

Gilpin County Jane Doe[]

The charred body of a woman was found on September 30, 1952, in a forest near Colorado State Highway 119 in Black Hawk, Gilpin County, Colorado. The victim had been placed under a log that was set afire after being doused with an accelerant approximately 20 to 30 days before her remains were found. The victim was believed to be aged between 25 and 30 years old at the time of her murder (born between 1922 and 1927), although she may have been as young as 17.^[41] Her hair, which was found attached to the skull, is believed to have been dark in color, and she was approximately five feet seven inches tall.^[42] Because of the condition of her body, her weight and race are unknown, as her remains had deteriorated to the point that they weighed 14 pounds. One of her legs was severed from her body, which may have been due to animal activity. The victim had an overbite, which has been described as fairly noticeable. Jewelry found at the scene included a necklace with rhinestones and three earrings. Burned clothing was also found; a light blue sequin top, jeans and a shoe were all recovered, but were fragmented. A lipstick container, an electric razor, a purse, and a man's ring were also at the scene. She was believed to have been hit on the head with a bloody stick nearby before being burned, although it is not known if she was killed after the blow. The stick and one of the earrings were later found by a woman who visited the scene after hearing about the case.

The individual who discovered these remains, Charles Damoth, was initially believed by authorities to be the killer, although his daughter believes otherwise. At least five others were ruled out as possible perpetrators. Damoth admitted to finding her body days before reporting the killing, which some have found suspicious. He claimed he also had cut wood in the area, including the log found on her body. One person also stated they had seen Damoth's truck near the scene around the time the victim was estimated to have died. Polygraph tests used on the suspect never revealed additional evidence. This murder is also referred to as the "Pyre Case," and the victim has also been nicknamed "Maria."^[43]

Morrison John Doe []

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On February 13, 1977, the mummified remains of a young, possibly Native American male were discovered in a military sleeping bag near US Route 285 in Morrison, Colorado. He had been killed by blunt force trauma to the head and had been dead for anywhere between one and two months. He was estimated to be between 18 and 30 years old, was approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall and weighed between 125 and 145 pounds (57 and 66 kg). He had medium dark brown or black hair. Investigators found a witness that stated a man had come to the door of the nearby Twin Forks Motel in Tiny Town in December 1976. This man asked to use a phone in order to catch a ride to Littleton, and when he was able to use one, he dialed a number but did not reach anybody. He claimed he had been in a fight with his brother while travelling and had been forced to get out of the car, where he kicked out the windshield of the car after. He also only had a shirt and pants on during a very cold night as well as various, small, bleeding cuts on his face. The witness provided him a coat which he returned a short time later. It is unknown whether this incident has any relation to the man found in Morrison.^[44]

El Paso County John Doe[]

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The skeleton of a male was found on November 3, 1986, a year or less after his death. He was 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 8 in (1.63 to 1.73 m) in height and 35 to 40 years old. The man had been shot; his body also revealed evidence of blunt-force trauma to the face.^[45][46][47] The remains were located in a field in El Paso County, Colorado. He had brown hair and was wearing a blue-green sweatshirt along with a pair of jeans.^[48][49]

Baca County Jane Doe []

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On June 3, 1988, the skeletal remains of a young Hispanic/Native American female were discovered in an open field in rural Baca County, Colorado, southwest of Springfield, Colorado. Cause of death could not be determined, but investigators are treating the case as a homicide. The woman was between the ages of 19 and 24 years old, was between 5 ft 2 in and 5 ft 4 in (1.57 and 1.63 m) tall, and weighed 130 pounds (59 kg). She had brown hair and had likely not given birth during her life. She was found wearing gray corduroy Levi brand pants, a beige winter coat with a synthetic fur collar and a bra. Her skeleton had been bleached by the sun. Investigators believe that the woman had died approximately a year prior. The area she was found in was near some rural roads frequented by truckers to avoid the port.^[50]

Windy Point Jane Doe []

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On July 7, 1994, the skeletal remains of a younger middle-aged white female were discovered by a group of hikers near the Smokehouse Campground off US Forest Service Route 402 in Montrose County, Colorado. The area in which she was found in is commonly referred to as "Windy Point". Cause of death was undetermined but ruled to be a homicide. She had been dead for approximately 18 months. She was estimated to be between 35 and 40 years old, and was 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) tall. She had reddish brown hair and suffered from both temporomandibular joint syndrome and scoliosis. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. The skull was initially brought to authorities, after which they conducted a search of the Windy Point area and found more remains. Her skeleton had sustained damage from scavenging animals after being deposited at the location. Investigators believe she was most likely killed elsewhere before being brought to the location and concealed.^[51]

Weld County John Doe []

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On August 12, 1995, the skeletal remains of a young male of indeterminate race were discovered by an oil field worker when he found one of the man's shoes sticking up from the ground in a hidden grave. The man had died of a gunshot and a possible stabbing, and had been dead for at least a year. He was between 20 and 25 years old and 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) tall. He had dark brown hair and appeared to be right handed. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. He was found wearing a pair of 'Spalding' brand high-top sneakers, black Wrangler pants, a shirt, and white Fruit of the Loom briefs. The grave the man had been buried in was dug in very hard ground, which led investigators to believe that more than one person was involved in his death. Pieces of cigarette butts were also found near the grave, leading investigators to believe that one of the people who killed the Doe possibly smoked.^[52]

Adams County John Doe[]

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On July 14, 2001, the head of a middle aged white/Hispanic man was found in Little Dry Creek in a local fishing pond, in Brighton, Colorado. Additional remains were discovered later on the 21st, including both legs from the calf down. They were discovered in a field when the right foot was protruding from the ground. DNA testing later linked the body parts to the same man. The body was described as having been mechanically dismembered. He was estimated to be between 30 and 50 years old and was between 5 ft 4 in and 5 ft 8 in (1.63 and 1.73 m) tall. He had dark brown hair and eyes, as well as a goatee and a healing fracture on his nose.^[53]

Saguache County John Doe[]

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The body of a male was discovered on October 12, 2002, in Saguache, Saguache County, Colorado. He had been shot in the head twice at a minimal distance and left in a ravine. He had been wrapped in a handmade, antique quilt, and wrapped again in black plastic secured with duct tape. He is believed to have been asleep when killed. The victim was between the ages of 30 and 40, was 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) tall, and was estimated to weigh between 235 and 240 pounds (107 and 109 kg). Although he was toothless, no dentures were found at the scene of his discovery. He wore a motorcycle jacket with the words "Fort Washington, Maryland" and black shorts. It is possible that he was attending a motorcycle-related gathering at the time of his death.^[54]

Connecticut[]

New Haven County John Doe (1923)[]

On August 9, 1923, the badly decomposed remains of an unknown male were found on Milford Townpike in West Haven near the New Haven County Home. This John Doe was estimated to be approximately 27 years old, had brown hair and stood at 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m). He weighed approximately 150 pounds (68 kg). The decedent wore a brown striped suit and under one arm had a chauffeur's cap. He had a cloth gag in his mouth and there appeared to be two bullet wounds in his chest, but he was apparently killed by strangulation.^[55] This individual was possibly killed by serial killer Carl Panzram.^[56] He was one of the few victims of Panzram that can be confirmed. It is alleged that the victim may have been approximately 16 years old^[57] and either the nephew or son of a New York Policeman.^[58]

"Lorraine Stahl" []

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On May 30, 1974, the nearly skeletal remains of a young white female were found wrapped in a blanket in a wooded area in Stonington, Connecticut. Cause of death was undetermined, however investigators believe she was killed through homicidal means. She was estimated to be between 18 and 30 years old and was 5 feet 2 inches tall. She had brown or auburn hair. Weight and eye color could not be determined due to decomposition. She was found wearing a tan leather vest, a gold/tan sweater, a brown tweed skirt, a pair of brown boots, a yellow raincoat, and a class-like ring with the letters "JNHS/JHNS" and the initials "ILN" on the side. Witnesses had seen her driving a green 1964 Oldsmobile with Massachusetts or Miami plates. She was also known to be in the company of the bank robber Gustavous Lee Carmichael, whose corpse was found nearby; nearly four years before (on December 31, 1970) he and the woman had been shot dead and buried.^[59][60] A telephone list was found with her remains. Calls were made to Nashville, Tennessee, various cities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Wilmington, Delaware, and Buffalo, New York as well as New York City. Investigators believe that she may have relatives in Tennessee, West Virginia, or the Carolinas.^[61][59] Two men, Richard DeFreitas and Donald Brant, were charged with their murders and eventually found guilty in July 1976.^[60]

New Haven County Jane Doe[]

On August 16, 1975, the body of a white female between 18 and 28 years of age was discovered in East Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut. The victim was bound and gagged, nude, and floating in a drainage ditch behind a building. This woman was killed by strangulation at least five days prior to her discovery, although her face was recognizable. Antenna wires were visible around her neck, waist and legs and her body was wrapped in a tarp, which had been secured with an electrical cord. It is believed that the decedent was not murdered at the location where her body was discovered. The victim was around five feet six inches in height and weighed approximately 125 pounds. She had dark brown hair and either hazel or brown eyes.^[62] She may have undergone rhinoplasty. This may be a contributing factor for this woman remaining unidentified, as those who knew her in life before this possible surgery would be less likely to recognize the constructed facial composite released to the public.

This decedent may also have worn braces at one point in her life and had both ears pierced; she wore silver-colored earrings.^[63] No evidence of her murderer was left behind, save for white spots of paint discovered on the tarp used to conceal her body.^[64] Her murder could possibly be linked to that of a man who was murdered and disposed of in a similar manner, as well as serial killings in the area.^[65][66] She is buried in an unmarked grave in the State Street Cemetery in Hamden, Connecticut.^[67]

New Britain Jane Doe []

Artistic Rendering

On October 11, 1991, the decomposed remains of a young White/Hispanic female were found near railroad tracks behind the now defunct "Fafnir Bearing Company" in New Britain, Connecticut. She had been shot in the head and had been dead for anywhere between three weeks to four months. She was estimated to be between 23 and 35 years old, was 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 130 to 135 pounds. She had straight black hair. Eye color could not be ascertained. She was found wearing a white sleeveless sun dress, a shirt with a group of pandas printed on it, one holding a red umbrella, one holding a yellow heart, one holding an ice cream cone and two more holding each other.^[68] She was buried in 2003 but then exhumed in 2011 by the FBI to make a forensic reconstruction, which was then updated in 2018. The DNA Doe Project began investigating her case in February, 2019.^[69] The Project later released an update on their Facebook page, stating that she had significant ancestral ties to New York, Connecticut, and Puerto Rico. They also included a list of potential surnames of family members.^[70]

New Haven County John Doe (1992)[]

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On August 21, 1992, the mostly skeletal remains of a young Asian-American man were discovered in the woods near a railroad line in Milford, Connecticut. He had been shot multiple times in the head and wrapped in a pink blanket, olive blanket, and two garbage bags. He was estimated to be between 18 and 30 years old, was approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighed between 120 and 130 pounds. He had medium length, straight, black hair. His teeth were in good, natural condition. He was found wearing a long sleeve button-down shirt with the logo "Forever" on it, a Fruit of the Loom undershirt, a pair of denim pants, a brown belt with a yellow buckle, and a pair of Fruit of the Loom underwear. Four small caliber bullets were recovered at the crime scene, and it appeared he had been deposited there. He was also most likely not from the area.^[71]

Delaware[]

Wilmington John Doe (1993) []

On September 13, 1993, the decomposing remains of a young Asian American or Native American man were discovered in a wooded area on the side of a local road near Interstate 95 in Wilmington, Delaware. Cause of death could not be ascertained, however it is believed he was killed through homicidal means, as he was found blindfolded and bound. He was estimated to have been dead for about two weeks. He was estimated to be between 20 and 40 years old, was between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall, and weighed between 120 and 140 pounds. He had medium length, black, straight hair, and dark brown eyes. He also had evidence of a possible neck injury in the past as well as an extra long pinkie fingernail. Part of his right middle finger was also missing, however this was well healed and was most likely amputated during life. His dental records suggested that he may have smoked or chewed tobacco in life. He was found wearing a light colored Ralph Lauren brand polo jacket, a short sleeved T-shirt, a pair of tan Bugle Boy pants, white boxer shorts and a pair of leather shoes. Three unspent .38 caliber bullets wrapped in tissue paper were found in his pocket. The man's fingerprints were sent to national databases, and many missing persons reports were compared, however they yielded no leads to the man's identity.^[72]

Odessa Jane Doe[]

The skeleton of a woman aged between 20 and 35 (although this decedent may have been up to 45 years in age)^[73] was found on November 25, 1993, in Odessa, New Castle County, Delaware.^[74] Her body had been left in the William J. Baxter Memorial Park, approximately three months before it was found. She had very healthy teeth that showed no signs of staining, although there was evidence of some crowding at the back of her mouth.

This decedent was white with a possible Hispanic ethnicity, approximately five feet one to five feet two inches tall, but because of the state of the remains, the weight was not possible to estimate. Her hair was a dark brown. After examining the pelvis, it was concluded that she may have given birth at one time.^[75] The cause of her death was not apparent, but is believed to have been foul play.^[76] Most of the bones from the digits of her hands and feet were not found, along with two other types of bones. No clothing was found at the site and thirteen people have been excluded as possibly identities of the victim.^[77]

Kent County Jane Doe[]

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On July 20, 1997, the skeleton of a brown-haired woman was found by a hiker in an area hidden by trees in Camden, Kent County, Delaware, near the border of Maryland.^[78] It is believed that the woman had been killed by blows to the head, as damage to her skull suggested. She was of middle age, between forty and sixty. The victim was white, between five feet three to five feet eight inches tall and weighed approximately 120 pounds. The victim had likely broken her wrist at one point during her life, which had happened long before she died. Other bones also showed evidence of previous injury and her knees also indicated she could have suffered from arthritis. She wore a denture on the top of her mouth; one of the eyeteeth was missing.^[79] The victim was found wearing nothing but a blue hair clip and a watch.^[80] Due to injuries that occurred before death, the way the woman walked may have been affected by damage to the bones in one of the legs. Her body was at the scene for three months to two years.^[81]

New Castle County John Doe[]

On October 17, 1994, a Hispanic man's body was found in New Castle County, Delaware, near a wooded area next to a road. The cause of his death was not apparent, but because his body was concealed in a sheet, authorities presume he was murdered. The body was discovered by a truck driver who noticed a screw and a glove on the side of the road and then inspected a suspicious bundle nearby.^[82] He was 138 pounds and five feet five inches tall at the estimated age range of twenty-five to thirty-five years of age.

The man was described as being "well groomed" and had neat dark hair and a mustache and manicured nails and healthy teeth. He had a large amount of body hair, which was shaved under the arms and in the pubic region. It is believed that he was of Central-American descent. He wore a grayish shirt, large dark shorts underneath khakis with a brown belt, white socks, underwear and no shoes. He carried fifteen single dollars along with a nickel, which were created across the United States.^[83]

Florida[]

Georgia[]

Idaho[]

Snake River John Doe[]

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The body of a white male was discovered in the Snake River, near Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho on July 26, 1982, after his death, which was two to three weeks prior.^[84] The Doe Network gives a longer estimated time of death to have been as early as January 1982. He was killed by two gunshots from a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson gun, which was not built since 1967. The wounds were to both the neck and shoulder of the man, who was between eighteen and twenty, although the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System reports that his age was not possible to estimate, increasing his age range to ninety-nine years old.^[85] The Nez Perce County sheriff department also gives conflicting information, describing him to be as young as thirteen to twenty.^[86] Despite that he may have been deceased for seven months, a scar was found on one of his ankles. However, no tattoos, jewelry or distinct birthmarks could be found. He was believed to be white, but may have been Hispanic, as his hair, which was several inches long, was black or red. His height and weight were estimated to be five feet eleven inches and 145 to 160 pounds, respectively. No dental care was observable in his mouth, as his teeth had been excellently cared for with no cavities.^[87] The young man wore jeans, blue, red and white striped swimwear in an American flag design and a white sock with the same colors.^[88] His case was reopened by police in 2012.^[89]

Oneida County Jane Doe[]

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Reconstruction as African American
Reconstruction as Caucasian

On October 26, 1986, a partial skull was found in Two Mile Canyon in Malad, Idaho. It appeared that the owner of the skull had suffered repeated blunt force trauma. Very little information of the decedent could be determined from the remains, but it has been inferred that the skull came from a female, either African American or African American with white admixture. Her estimated age was believed to be between 12 and 16 years old, but she may have been older than 20. Her skull was initially lost when being sent to a lab for DNA processing, however it resurfaced in 2018 and was sent to the FBI for analysis.

Authorities believe that the case may be related to the killings of two other females, Tina Anderson (12) and Patricia Campbell (15), whose remains were discovered close by. Anderson was identified in 1981 and Campbell was identified in 2007. Both girls had been shot to death. The scene where the remains were found were re-excavated in 2007, which uncovered evidence which may link a potential group of suspects to the crime.

There is also a possibility that the case is related to the killings of Linda Smith and Cindy Bringhurst, whose remains were discovered in the outskirts of Malad.^[90]

Illinois[]

Indiana[]

Floyd County John Doe[]

On Christmas Day, 1977, the body of a black male was found in a culvert in Floyd County, Indiana. He was shot in the head and was believed to have died a day before his discovery. The man was estimated to be between 18 and 25 years old and was six feet tall, with a weight of 155 to 175 pounds. The victim wore a knit cap, a jacket with the letters "E" and "D" on the front pocket, embroidered with red string. He also wore a black shirt, a blue sweatshirt, bluish pants and white tennis shoes. Several of his teeth were also missing.^[91]

Newton County John Does[]

Two young men of different races were found on October 18, 1983, in Lake Village, Newton County, Indiana.^[92] Both decedents are confirmed victims of serial killer Larry Eyler.^[93]

In July 2020, the DNA Doe Project announced renewed genetic testing efforts to identify the African American victim, whom Eyler specifically stated he had murdered in July 1983.^[94] Genetic testing upon the Caucasian victim, believed to have been murdered by Eyler in mid- to late-May 1983, began in January 2021. This individual was identified in April 2021 as 19-year-old John Brandenburg Jr.^[95]

Jasper County John Doe[]

External images
2021 Artistic Rendition
Original sketch
Lighter

The skeletonized body of a Caucasian male aged between 18 and 26 was discovered in Jasper County, Indiana, on October 15, 1983.^[96] The decedent had evidently been stabbed to death.^[97] He had shoulder-length, reddish-brown hair, was of a slight build and most likely between 5 ft 6 in and 5 ft 8 in in height.^[98] Furthermore, this individual had sustained a fracture to his left femur, which had healed prior to his murder.

A Zippo lighter inscribed with the name Arlene was found close to the decedent's body, and the individual was wearing jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt at the time of his murder, which is estimated to most likely have occurred sometime in late 1982.^[96][99]

As with the Newton County John Does, serial killer Larry Eyler confessed before his death in 1994 to killing this individual in addition to twenty other men—four others of whom are still unidentified (the body of one of whom was never found).^[100][101] Eyler specifically stated the murder of the Jasper County John Doe occurred in late-November 1982.^[102]

Money was raised to bury the remains of this man in a formal, marked grave in 1986. In addition, DNA has been extracted from this decedent for genetic testing against individuals who may be related to him.^[103][104]

In July 2021, it was announced that Redgrave Research Forensic Services would utilize forensic genetic genealogy in efforts to uncover his identity.^[99]

Hendricks County John Doe[]

On December 7, 1983, the skeletal remains of two individuals were discovered in a rural area near Clayton, Indiana. Both are confirmed victims of serial killer Larry Eyler. One of the decedents was soon identified as 17-year-old Richard Wayne, who had been murdered on March 20, 1983. The other victim—an African American whose body was found beneath the burned remains of a mobile home—remains unidentified.

The unidentified victim is estimated to be between 25 and 39 years old. He was 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighed 140 pounds. He was found wearing only a pair of blue jeans. No cause of death could not be ascertained, although Eyler invariably stabbed his victims to death.

Based upon Eyler's modus operandi, investigators have presumed that the man was possibly homosexual, a hitchhiker, a prostitute, or a combination of the three.^[105] As this decedent was in a less advanced stage of decomposition than Wayne, the decedent is believed to have been murdered on a date after March 20, 1983.^[106]

"Madison"[]

External images
3D reconstruction
Sketch
Profile

On December 29, 1996, the skeletal remains of a young white female were found by hunters near US Route 31, three miles south of South Bend, Indiana. The cause of death could not be ascertained; however, it is being investigated as a homicide. She was estimated to be between 21 and 35 years old, was 5 feet 1 inch tall, and weighed 110 pounds. She had medium length brown hair and appeared to have spondylolysis. No clothing was found with the remains. She had excellent dental hygiene and had one filling.

The area in which she was found is very rough, and is only accessible by ATVs. She is known as "Madison" to investigators.^[107]

Morgan County John Doe (1998)[]

External images
Sign
Watch

On September 13, 1998, the decomposed remains of a young white male were found in a cornfield in rural Morgan County, Indiana. He had been killed by a blow to the head. He was estimated to be between 28 and 38 years old, was approximately 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, and weighed 170 pounds (77 kg). He had shoulder-length reddish-brown hair and a beard. He was wearing a black biker/USA T-shirt with wings, a flag, and an eagle on it, a pair of shorts, and an analog watch.

The man was a known transient who frequented Indianapolis and Martinsville, and a sign reading "STRANDED HUNGRY GOD BLESS" with a smiley face was found near his body. Investigators believe that robbery was not a motive, as he still had his watch. He was buried in the Nutter Cemetery in October 1998.^[108]

Kansas[]

Dickinson County John Doe

On July 24, 1974, the decomposed remains of a young, white male were discovered on a dirt road in Upland, Kansas, by a man who was visiting his parents. The man had been shot to death. He was estimated to be between 25 and 31 years old, was between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighed between 140 and 150 pounds. He had brown, wavy, medium length hair. He was wearing a dark red, four-button, pullover shirt, a brown pullover, blue jeans, blue knit socks, and a pair of boots.

Cecil Henry Floyd, a convicted serial killer, later confessed to killing the man after being sentenced to life in prison for an unrelated crime. He claimed that his family and he would travel the country would pick up transients and hitchhikers, killing them for their money. According to Floyd, the man was picked up in western Kansas, and pulled onto the dirt road after traveling with him. There, he claimed there was an issue with the tire. When the man got out to help, Floyd shot him to death and robbed him. The victim is currently buried in Abilene Cemetery. His body was exhumed in 2016 for DNA testing.^[109]

Kentucky[]

Grant County John Doe[]

External images
Digital Reconstruction
Sketch

On April 9, 1989, the decomposing remains of a young-middle aged white male were found in a tobacco barn on State Route 22, seven miles west of Dry Ridge, Kentucky. He had been shot twice in the back of the head with a .22 caliber weapon. He had also been deceased for about two weeks. He was between 25 and 39 years old, was 6 feet 5 inches tall, and weighed 220 pounds. He had medium-brown hair styled in a crew cut with short sideburns. He had extensive dental work. His hands had been severed, possibly in an attempt to prevent identification. He had also been stripped of all clothing.^[110] His case was taken on by the DNA Doe Project in February, 2020. The project is currently accepting donations for DNA to be extracted and sequenced from his body. DNA was successfully extracted and sequenced in August, 2020.^[111]

Carroll County John Doe[]

External images
3D Reconstruction
Profile

On September 1, 1980, the skeletal remains of a middle aged white man were found after flood waters receded from the Ohio River near Carrollton, Kentucky. He had been killed by blunt force trauma to the back of the head. He was estimated to be between 40 and 55 years old and was approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall. He had light to medium brown hair, and evidence of a previous broken nose, left ankle, and foot. He may have suffered from arthritis and poor nourishment or drug use. He also had no teeth.

A possible connection was made in 2017 to a missing man, George Hawkins, who bore a resemblance to the victim, but he was later excluded from the case.^[112]

Owen County Jane Doe []

External images
Digital Reconstruction
Profile
3D Reconstruction
Tattoo

On May 6, 1988, the decomposed remains of a young white female were located in an open field on the side of State Route 330, 18 miles south of Owenton, Kentucky. She had been strangled to death. She was estimated to be between 25 and 40 years old, was between 5 feet and 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 120 pounds. Her left arm and hand were not recovered. She had dark brown/black hair with some grey, in a bob styled haircut. She had possibly given birth in the past, and had a crude, homemade tattoo on her right arm which read "Steve". She was found wearing a pair of men's black or dark brown dress socks with green toes. A brown nylon blouse, a pair of men's sneakers, faded jeans, and a blue bra were found nearby.

A witness claimed to have seen the woman on a freeway near a diner that was popular with truckers. In 2019, Parabon Nanolabs began genealogy research on the woman to try to find her identity. Phenotyping testing is also being done to try to determine her features more accurately. In 2020, it was announced that she may have had ties to Columbus, Ohio or Miami, Florida.^[113]

Barren County Doe[]

External images
Digital 3D reconstruction
Suitcase

On August 8, 1989, a blue suitcase containing the skeleton of a toddler was discovered near the Barren River Lake, Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky.^[114] The victim was estimated to have been between two and three years old and its sex was not possible to determine, though some believe that the child was female.^[115] The victim, who may have been biracial, had been deceased for one to six months and the case was ruled as a homicide. After it was made public that the body was found, a person claiming to be an attorney placed three phone calls to Kentucky State Police, requesting legal immunity for a woman in exchange for information the woman had about the child. However, after those three calls, the supposed attorney never contacted police again.^[116][117]

Daviess County John Doe []

External images
2021 Reconstruction
Artistic Rendition (based upon morgue photograph)

On January 7, 1990, the body of a young white male was found by a pair of rabbit hunters, east of Owensboro, Kentucky. He had been shot multiple times, stripped of clothing and covered by a pile of twigs. Blunt force trauma was also found to the face, and his hands and feet were missing. He was estimated to be between 25 and 40 years old, was between 5 feet and 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighed between 125 and 140 pounds. He had curly, medium length brown hair with graying near the temples. Eye color was originally listed as brown but may have been blue. He had a fair complexion with tanned arms. A pair of prescription eyeglasses were found near the body. Investigators believe the man wasn't from the area, and had been deposited after being murdered, as no blood was found at the scene.

He was misidentified in 2007 as Scott Michael Morris, until DNA testing proved the two men were not related.^[118]

"Mary Eve"[]

On Christmas Eve, 1992, the body of a female infant of possibly mixed race was found in a trash bag in the employee parking lot of Oxmoor Center on Shelbyville Road in Louisville. The mother was never found. A member of the mall's security team posthumously adopted the baby, naming her "Mary Eve" because she was found on Christmas Eve.^[119]

Lyon County John Doe[]

External images
3D Reconstruction (Older age range)
Profile
3D Reconstruction (Younger age range)

On May 6, 1999, the decomposing remains of a young/middle aged white man were found floating in Lake Barkley in Eddyville, Kentucky. His body was wrapped in tire chains and anchored by an eight-ton hydraulic jack, leading investigators to deem his death a homicide. He was believed to have been in the water for between five and twelve months. He was between 25 and 50 years old, was between 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 3 inches tall, and weighed between 200 and 250 pounds. He was thought to have had brown hair and had brown eyes. He had previously suffered a broken leg during his life. He was found wearing a white T-shirt, a dark Dallas Cowboys jacket, a light green Reebok jacket, blue jeans, a black leather belt, white sneakers and white socks. Chemical isotope testing indicated that the man was native to the United States.^[120]

Jefferson County Jane Doe (2005)[]

External images
3D Reconstruction
Profile

On July 22, 2005, a construction crew was clearing a lot in Shivley, Kentucky, when they uncovered the skeletal remains of a young/middle aged white female. Investigators deemed she was a victim of homicide due to the way her body was laid and positioned. She was estimated to be between 20 and 40 years old and was approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall. She may have had straight brown hair and a narrow nose. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. The area in which she was found used to be an ice cream supply house, and then a junk yard. She may have been deceased for anywhere between two and fifteen years.^[121]

Louisiana[]

West Baton Rouge Parish Jane Doe[]

External images
Digital Reconstruction
3D Reconstruction

On February 20, 1985, the skeletal remains of a young white female were found buried under a pile of large rocks behind the levee of the Mississippi River near Port Allen, Louisiana, directly across from a church. Cause of death was uncertain, but may be homicidal due to the circumstances in which she was found. She had been deceased for possibly three months. She was between 24 and 33 years old, was between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 5 inches (1.57–1.65 m) tall, and weighed 115 pounds (52 kg). She had long, dark brown hair and had a petite build. She had two malformed ribs, possibly due to a birth defect. She was found with four turquoise and silver rings, along with a bracelet. Investigators could not find any signs of injury to the woman's skeleton.^[122]

Sabine Parish John Doe[]

External image
FACES Reconstruction

On April 18, 1986, the partial skeletal remains of a young/middle-aged white male were discovered in a well in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, when the property owner was cleaning it out. He had been stabbed to death, then thrown into the well and concealed with a polyethylene sheet. The man, who was killed 6 to 12 months before discovery, was estimated to be between 30 and 45 years old. He had an injury to his left hip bone and what appeared to be over two dozen shotgun pellets embedded in the bone, indicating that he had been shot while alive. Investigators noted that this would have caused the man pain and made him walk with a limp. He was found wearing a blue shirt, blue knit pants, a brown belt, a light blazer jacket, and one sneaker. A key ring with 5 keys, a folding brush-comb combination, a Snoopy night light, a small pocket knife, and a urine cup (implying a recent medical treatment) were found on his person. The road in which the man was found on serves as a cutoff between State Route 6 and State Route 191, being a good place to dump the body for someone familiar with the area. His skull had been fractured just before his death, and he seemed to have been stabbed in the back twice.^[123]

Slidell Jane Doe[]

External images
LSU FACES composite
Sketch
3D reconstruction

On June 19, 1986, the body of a white female aged between 20 and 30 was found in Slidell, Saint Tammany Parish, Louisiana, in Lake Pontchartrain. She had been murdered around one to two days prior to her discovery, and her body had already begun to decompose. The cause of her death was ruled to be a combination of asphyxiation and stabbing, as wounds were visible on her face. Her hair was either a light brown or red, and was shoulder length. She also had freckles and had received breast implants. It is believed this decedent had been married, as her left ring finger showed that a ring had been worn at one time, but had been recently removed, likely by her killer. She was also three months pregnant.

The decedent was of a petite stature, standing at 5 feet 2 to 4 inches, and weighed an estimated 126 lb (57 kg).^[124] Her body was nude with a plastic bag that had been placed over her head and a weight was tied to her neck to ensure her remains would not surface.

After her autopsy, examiners concluded that the victim may have been involved in an automobile accident prior to her murder, as evidence on her hips showed signs of healed fractures. It was also possible that a rhinoplasty was performed on her nose, which may have been due to the same reason. Scars were also found on her abdomen, her knee and one wrist.^[125] Her teeth were excellently cared for, although some were possibly congenitally missing and all of her wisdom teeth had been removed.^[126]

Beauregard Parish John Doe[]

External image
3D reconstruction

The body of a man of African heritage, 25 to 40 years old, was found on January 4, 1993, in Bancroft, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana. Examiners believe he had been killed within three to four weeks before, as the state of decomposition was severe in some areas of the body, resulting in partial skeletonization. His remains were disposed of in the woods, located in proximity to Highway 389. He wore tan shoes, blue jeans, had short hair and very healthy teeth and had broken his nose once in his life. He had been shot twice in the head.^[127]

St. Tammany Parish John Doe (2016)[]

External images
Parabon Nanolabs reconstruction
FACES reconstruction
3D reconstruction

The partially dismembered body of a White and Middle Eastern male aged 65 or older was discovered in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana on July 29, 2016. The victim had died about three days before and was dumped at the scene following his murder. His body was in an advanced stage of decomposition. A scar, possibly from an open heart surgery was present on his chest. His height was estimated to be about 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m). His arms and one leg were removed, possibly to conceal unique tattoos or marks on his body. Investigators were unsure of certain traits the man had until DNA phenotyping was performed by the Parabon NanoLabs. The results indicated he had brown or hazel eyes, dark brown hair and a fair complexion.^[128] The victim or the individuals responsible for his death may have links to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the victim himself may have been a transient.^[129]

In 2018 the DNA Doe Project took on this case and analyzed his DNA to try to match with potential relatives.^[130]

In May 2021, an update was released on the man's possible ancestral ties. It was found that he or his parents were recent immigrants to the US, and he may have ties to the following places: Alaçatı/Alasata and Istanbul in Turkey; Andros, Piraeus, Alexandroupoli and Chios in Greece; Bucharest and Transylvania, Romania; Locana and Veneto, Italy; Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France; England, and Germany. The highest familial match found in the US was found in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. A list of surnames of interest was also included with the list.^[131]

Maine[]

Aroostook County Jane Doe[]

The body of a full-term baby girl with an attached umbilical cord was found December 7, 1985, in Frenchville, Maine. Her body was found by a dog, which then brought it to its owners. The infant had died of exposure within a half hour of her birth, due to extremely cold temperatures. She had been abandoned in a gravel pit. Examiners determined that the dog had not caused injury to the baby.

At the location, several bloody footprints were found, believed to have been left there by the infant's mother. Investigators suspect the baby's mother may be Canadian.^[132][133]

Maryland[]

Prince George's County Jane Doe (1972)[]

External images
3D Reconstruction
Samuel Little Sketch

On December 1, 1972, the skeletal remains of a young white female were discovered in a wooded area near the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and State Route 197 near Laurel, Maryland. Cause of death could not be determined but it is believed she was killed by homicidal means. She was estimated to be between 19 and 25 years old, and was 5 feet 1 inch tall. She had dirty blond to reddish brown hair, and may have appeared older than she actually was. Weight, and eye color could not be ascertained. She had had extensive dental work, however, her teeth were decayed.

In 2018, serial killer, Samuel Little confessed to killing the woman. He described her as an attractive woman with green eyes, dark hair, and full lips. He also claimed she was a prostitute that he picked up at a Greyhound bus station. She remained in his company for three days before Little strangled her at the location she was found.^[134]

Woodlawn Jane Doe[]

"Cheerleader in the Trunk"[]

External images
Sketch
2020 NCMEC reconstruction
2020 Profile
Reconstruction by Carl Koppelman

On August 24, 1982, the skeletonized remains of a young woman were discovered concealed inside a footlocker in Frederick, Maryland by two hikers. The decedent is estimated to have died between 1972 and 1982, with pathologists determining she had most likely died at least three years prior to the discovery of her body.^[135] Her age is estimated to have been anywhere between 17 and 45 years old, although the most likely age range of this decedent is between 18 and 25 years old. She had medium length, brown or reddish brown hair and is estimated to have stood between five feet two inches and five feet six inches in height.

Evidence such as spondylolysis on her bones indicates that she may have been a gymnast or dance performer in life.^[136] She had also received extensive dental work on her teeth. Between the 1980s and 2012, three composites were created. Many leads have surfaced, including ten missing persons that have been ruled out in the case.^{[137][138][139]}

External image
Sketch

Harford County John Doe[]

The body of an Asian male, aged between 20 and 30, was located on January 9, 1987, in Abingdon, Harford County. He was murdered just days prior to the discovery of his body and had been killed by a gunshot wound to the chest. His body was abandoned at the side of a highway and was bound, wrapped in plastic and then covered with a sheet. He was around five feet five to five feet seven inches in height and weighed approximately 134 pounds. The man had several scars on his face, one near his upper lip and four on the top of his head, which had healed. The victim had black, straight hair and brown eyes. He wore a pair of reddish and white nylon swim trunks that had a blue stripe and brown lining.^[140]

By studying the teeth of the decedent (which displayed no signs of dental care) it is presumed that he had a habit of using tobacco products. His case has been published in Asian media, which has not yet produced any more clues to his identity or his killer.^[141]

Frederick County Jane Doe[]

External image
3D reconstruction

The remains of a female aged between 16 and 25, known as Maryland's Unknown Child, was discovered on July 31, 1991, in Frederick County, Maryland, near a truck stop. Her remains were badly decomposed, to the point where her cause of death was not able to be determined.^[142] She was located underneath an overpass, which suggests being disposed of after a murder. She was between five feet and five feet two inches tall, weighing 110-120 pounds. Her hair was described as dark and wavy and a tooth protruded from her upper jaw. A tank top and several pieces of jewelry were found on her arms, hands, neck and ankle, including a silver and gold colored wristwatch.

Four forensic facial reconstructions of the decedent have since been created; each varying strongly from the others.^{[143][144][145]} It was reported that a man convicted of the murder of a woman native to Ohio in Tennessee, who was a trucker, may have been involved. At his house, authorities discovered shoes and underwear, two types of clothing that the Frederick County Jane Doe was not wearing.^[146]

Prince George's County Jane Doe (2000)[]

External images
Digital reconstruction
3D reconstruction

The body of a female of African heritage was located in a creek in Clinton, Prince George's County, on March 25, 2000. The victim was between 13 and 35 years old at the time of her death, with her most likely age range being between 15 and 30. She is estimated to have been murdered in 1999 or the year of the discovery of her body.^[147]

The decedent had been beaten to death, and may have been a victim of a sexual crime, as no clothing below her waist was present on her body. The female had brown eyes and black hair accompanied with hair extensions which were approximately a foot long. She wore clothing including a whitish undershirt and a similarly colored T-shirt from a 1995 Special Olympics event held in Connecticut, a white sports bra, a pullover shirt with the phrase "Beefy-T" written on the tag, and a denim jacket. She also wore a Tweety watch and had painted her fingernails purple. Her initials could possibly have been "C.S.," as these initials were found written on the tag of one of her shirts.^[148] Although her lower jaw was not found, she did not appear to have received any dental care in life.^[149]

Prince George's County John Doe (2000)[]

External images
Digital Reconstruction
Keys

On April 13, 2000, the decomposed body of a young man of mixed race was found in Beaver Dam Creek on the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland. He had been beaten to death, indicated by evidence of severe blunt force trauma to the head. He was believed to have been in the water for at least two months. He was between 20 and 40 years old, was approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall, and weighed 236 pounds. He had brown straight hair. He was found wearing a green hooded zip-up sweatshirt, a brown, wool, L.L.Bean winter coat, a Nike T-shirt, a pair of Lee jeans, a pair of blue and purple boxer shorts, and a pair of brown hiking shoes. A set of keys attached to a large safety pins and four dollar bills were found in his pockets. One key was determined to belong to a Volkswagen vehicle.^[150]

Baltimore Jane Doe (2002) []

External images
3D Reconstruction
Gold Tooth

On August 16, 2002, the mummified remains of a young African American woman were found in northeastern Baltimore, Maryland, in the yard of a residence near a railroad track. She had been bound and then stabbed in the back. She was estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old and was 5 feet 2 inches tall. She had dark hair that was pulled back and tied with a rubber band. She had a gold front tooth with a dollar sign or "S" carved into it. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. She was estimated to have died in 2001 or 2002 and her body had been in such a mummified state that no organs were intact. No clothing fibers or fingerprints could be found.^[151]

Prince George's County John Doe (2007)[]

External images
NCMEC reconstruction
Digital reconstruction
Sweatshirt

On January 30, 2007, the body of a young man of African heritage was located in Seat Pleasant, Prince George's County, Maryland. His hair was cut short and he was five feet ten inches tall and weighed 160 pounds. He wore several layers of clothing: a red sweatshirt with the words "Washington DC" in blue, a dark thermal shirt, a long-sleeved shirt with several colors, a red stocking-style hat, black Air Jordan tennis shoes, a scarf, gloves and two pairs of jeans.^[152] He had his left ear pierced and scars were found on his knees and one was found on his abdomen.^[153] He had been beaten to death only hours prior to his discovery and was between seventeen and twenty-seven years old.^[154]

Massachusetts[]

"Lady of the Dunes"[]

An unidentified woman whose body was discovered on July 26, 1974, in the Race Point Dunes, Provincetown, Massachusetts. She had been murdered by extensive blunt force trauma to the head, and her killer had made several attempts to prevent her body from being identified.^[155] Although Hadden Clark has confessed to her murder, many believe this confession to have been false.

Former FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted organized crime boss Whitey Bulger may have a connection to the case.^[156][157]

Middlesex County John Doe[]

External image
Medallion

On May 22, 1975, the decomposed remains of a young white male were found in a shallow grave in a wooded area in Burlington, Massachusetts. He had been shot twice in the head, and had been buried for about six months. The man was estimated to be between 25 and 35 years old, and was between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall. He had long, dark brown hair with possible facial hair. Eye color and weight could not be ascertained. He had extensive dental work as well as an upper denture and several gold fillings. He was found wearing an Army field jacket, a T-shirt, jeans, a pair of cheap canvas sneakers, black socks, and a garrison type belt with a distinctive buckle. A unique medallion was also found with the victim.

The area in which the man was found was a known lovers lane for locals, and his body was found relatively close to the road. It is also within a mile of Interstate 95 and State Route 3. Investigators believe that the medallion the victim had may have had some affiliation with motorcycle gangs which were in the area during the time. A few members had also lived close by.^[158]

Hampshire County Jane Doe[]

External image
Shirt

On November 15, 1978, the body of a young female was found in a shallow grave under a log in Granby, Massachusetts. She had been shot in the temple. She had buried in the location for anywhere between three months and one year. Most details about the woman are unknown, but she was estimated to be between 19 and 26 years old, had light brown/blonde, long hair, and had a 'chunky' build. She was found wearing a short sleeved shirt with a green collar and a green swan on the front. Potential witnesses were searched for in the area, as State Route 116, which was nearby, was used frequently for hitchhiking college students. No women were reported missing in the area.^[159]

Popes Island Jane Doe[]

The body of a woman aged between 30 and 45 years old was recovered from the Popes Island Marina in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts on October 30, 1996. The victim had been placed inside two garbage bags and then wrapped in a white and teal-colored wool blanket. She had suffered a blow to the head and was shot twelve times. She had been deceased for less than two days and her body had been in the water for less than a day.

The decedent was five feet two inches tall and approximately 127 pounds. The decedent had naturally light brown hair (which was dyed strawberry blond) and had brown eyes. She wore a yellow shirt, a white pullover with rectangular shapes and high heeled boots. She wore a gold ring with a green stone which experts say comes from Belarus, a part of the old Soviet Union. She had also received dental work that is believed to have been performed outside of the country. However, one instance of root canal surgery had been performed inside the United States. The woman had not shaved beneath her arms or shaved her legs, which may indicate she was from a foreign country with different cultural practices.

Because of the lack of identification and fingerprint matches, the woman may have entered the United States without documentation.^[160][161]

Suffolk County John Does (1988)[]

On October 6, 1988, the decomposed bodies of two young African American males were found in a wooded area in Dorchester, Massachusetts. They had both been shot to death. Investigators believe that they were possibly from The Bronx, and may have been of Jamaican ancestry. Their names may have been "Hooker" and "Clayton".

External image
NCMEC Reconstruction of "Clayton"

"Hooker" was believed to be between 15 and 20 years old, was 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighed 160 pounds. He had long, curly, black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a long sleeved black knit shirt/sweatshirt, black pants with a thin gray pinstripe, a green army belt, red/white/olive colored briefs, blue socks, and a pair of white and blue Nike sneakers. A Reebok bag was found near his body.^[162]

"Clayton" was between 14 and 16 years old, was 5 feet 4 inches tall, and weighed between 128 and 132 pounds. He had short, black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a gray sweater, a grey and black sweater, a blue shirt, blue jeans, red shorts, red jockey-style underwear, white socks, and a pair of white and blue sneakers.^[163]

"Lisa"[]

External images
NCMEC Reconstruction
Sketch
Profile

On November 13, 2000, the headless body of a young African American female was discovered on the grounds of the Soldier's Home in Chelsea, Massachusetts. She had been strangled to death before being decapitated. She was between 17 and 25 years old, was between 5 feet and 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighed between 100 and 130 pounds. She had brown hair with a reddish tint, and was wearing a wig. She also was light skinned and had a petite build. She was wearing purple nail polish as well.

Surveillance camera captured Eugene McCollom dumping the body, wrapped in a blanket. He stated that her name was "Lisa" and that she was a prostitute from "Philly". He had picked her up in Boston and took her to his room at the YMCA in Lynn, Massachusetts. They got into an argument about money, and he strangled her soon after. McCollom pled guilty to the murder in 2005.^[164]

Suffolk County Jane Doe (2005)[]

External images
Digital Reconstruction
Profile
Additional Reconstruction

On October 14, 2005, a chimney sweep was hired to clean out the chimney of an apartment building in Dorchester, Massachusetts. There he discovered the skeletal remains of a young white/Hispanic (with possible African American/Asian admixture) female. She had been in the chimney for anywhere between three months and five years. Cause of death was not determined, but was most likely a homicide. She was between 25 and 35 years old and was between 4 feet 11 inches and 5 feet 5 inches tall. She had long black/dark brown hair which was dyed a reddish color. Eye color and weight could not be ascertained, but it was noted that she had a small to medium build. She had red plastic fingernails, as well as evidence of childbirth during her life. She was found to have an unusual dental plate, which was poorly made, most likely not from a dentist.

The chimney in which the woman was found had been used for an incinerator during the 1960s, however by the time her body had been deposited in, it was being used as an opening for an air conditioner. Investigators believe that whoever put the woman's body in the chimney must have known about it beforehand, as it was difficult to find. An access door had also been left unlocked between January 2002 and January 2005, leaving easy access to the area.^[165]

Barnstable County John Doe[]

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Parabon Nanolabs Reconstruction

On June 4, 2014, the torso of a man of African heritage was found on a beach in Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts with his head and all four limbs missing. It is believed that the man was around six feet tall and weighed between 220 and 230 pounds. His body was found on the beach wrapped in a blue tarp and attached to a moving dolly. A surgical scar was also present, but it was unrelated to the murder. Another identifying feature was a T-shirt for a Rhode Island pipe distribution company, although the quantity of the shirts handed out each year prevented easy identification.^[166][167] In 2020, his face was reconstructed using DNA phenotyping.^[168]

Michigan[]

Minnesota[]

Washington County Jane Doe[]

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Sketch

The severed head of an adult white female was discovered on the shore of Bone Lake in Scandia, Washington County, Minnesota on June 12, 1993. Soon after the head was discovered, a left foot was found in St. Paul, Minnesota, which was twenty miles away. Medical examiners believe that the foot had belonged to the same woman. The foot had fragments of red nail polish.^[169] Both cuts made to sever her head and foot had been made cleanly, possibly due to the killer having experience with butchering or hunting. Her remains may have been disposed of in the Mississippi River, as both locations where the parts were found are linked to the river.

The woman had short, dark hair, which may have been spiked when she was alive, and she also had a short ponytail at the back of her head. The victim had brown eyes and likely wore earrings, as both of her ears were pierced three times. The age of this decedent has been disputed, with some describing her to be as young as twenty; others saying she may have been as old as sixty-five.^[170]

Isanti County John Doe []

External images
3D Reconstruction
Additional Reconstruction

On August 17, 2003, the skeletal remains of a young white male were discovered by an excavator operator on a private residence near State Route 47 in Isanti County, Minnesota, when the excavator uncovered a skull in the mound of earth. Cause of death could not be ascertained, however it is being treated as a homicide. The man was estimated to be between 20 and 28 years old, and was 5 feet 9 inches tall. Weight, hair color, and eye color could not be ascertained. A watch and part of a red and yellow blanket were found with the remains.

Investigators believe the body was dumped at the location, as the highway near which the body was found leads out of some of the major metropolitan areas of Minnesota. No missing persons reports matched the man. The face and dental characteristics were able to be precisely recreated by a forensic artist, however other details are simply the best guess made by the artist.^[171]

Mississippi[]

Jackson County Jane Doe (1977)[]

External images
3D reconstruction
Samuel Little Sketch

On December 27, 1977, three men rabbit hunting discovered the skeletal remains of a young/middle aged African American female near Interstate 10 and State Route 63 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Cause of death was uncertain, but believed to be a homicide. She was estimated to be between 35 and 45 years old and was between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall. Weight, hair color, and eye color could not be ascertained, but evidence was found that she may have worn a wig. She was also found to have some kind of surgery/injury to her ankle which may have caused her to limp. She also had a defect in her jaw joint and likely smoked/chewed tobacco. She had also given birth at least once during her life.

In 2018, Samuel Little confessed to murdering a woman in the area which closely resembled the Doe. He said that she worked as a pipe fitter at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, and lived in a boarding house in Gulfport. He had met her at a bar and later took the woman out, and described her as a "great person who would have made a wonderful wife". The boarding house and bar at which they were at have since been torn down. He claimed he strangled her and left her body in a wooded area off of a dirt road.^[172]

Jackson County John Doe (1982)[]

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Digital Reconstruction

During an additional search to find the remains of Alisha Heinrich's mother, Gwendolyn Clemmons, authorities instead located the skeletal remains of a young African American male. He had been shot to death. He was estimated to be between 18 and 22 years old, was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed between 120 and 170 pounds. Hair color and eye color could not be ascertained. Investigators believe that he was left handed, and he had an injury to the head which would have left a visible scar on his forehead. Investigators believe that he had nothing to do with Alisha Heinrich's case, but still had been thrown off the bridge after being killed.^[173]

Desoto County Jane Doe[]

Desoto County Jane Doe is a woman whose body was discovered alongside U.S. Route 78 on February 24, 1985, in Olive Branch, DeSoto County. She is estimated to have been between 20 and 35 at the time of her death and was wearing only a pinkish-orange pullover along with jeans at the time of her discovery. Her shoes were missing, possibly having been retained by her killer. The decedent had unique tattoos of the letters "T.H.C." and "R.E.J." (or possibly "R.E.T.") on her ankles,^[174] and had reddish or strawberry-blond hair. Her eyes have been stated to be gray or brown by various sources. The victim was killed by ligature strangulation and had possibly been subjected to a sexual assault.

This decedent is known to have both smoked frequently and to have regularly bitten her nails in life; habits that may assist in leading to her identification. The victim also had a surgical scar on her left arm and other scars on her hand.^[175] The woman wore three earrings in each ear and was approximately five feet three inches in height and weighed 110 pounds.^[176]

Lincoln County Jane Doe[]

On September 17, 1989, the body of a young white (with possible Native American or Asian admixture) woman was found in some bushes at a Rest area on Interstate 55 in Lincoln County, Mississippi. She had been strangled to death, and had been deceased for one day. She was estimated to be between 16 and 35 years old, was 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed between 135 and 145 pounds. She had brown hair, and brown eyes. She also had freckles, a mole on her neck, and a scar on her forehead. Her ears were also pierced. She was found only wearing a pair of white athletic socks, with three blue stripes.

Two suspects were later charged in her death, and they claimed that she was a prostitute they had picked up in New Orleans, Louisiana. They had intended to rob her instead of killing her, and did not know her name.^[177]

Jackson County John Doe (1992)[]

On April 17, 1992, the mummified remains of a middle aged white man were found washed ashore on Bayou Rosa in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Cause of death could not be determined, but is possibly homicidal due to what appeared to be superficial facial wounds and that his body had been frozen for several months. He had been in the water for between two and three weeks. He was between 30 and 50 years old, was between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall and weighed between 150 and 180 pounds. He had graying brown hair. He was described as slightly obese or robust and had a pronounced, square jaw line. He also appeared to have mild arthritis in his elbows and gallstones. He was found wearing white jockey underwear with the tag removed. He may have possibly not been native to the United States.^[178]

Jackson County John Doe (2001)[]

External images
Sketch
Tattoo of "John"
Bird tattoo
Third tattoo

A "middle aged" man's body was found wrapped in carpeting and a blanket along a road in Pascagoula, Jackson County, Mississippi on June 18, 2001. He was of white or Hispanic ethnicity and was estimated to be five feet five to five feet seven inches in height and weighed about 250 pounds. He had brown hair that was cut very short and had some tattoos, including the name "John" on his chest. He also had an elaborate tattoo of a bird on his shoulder and the letter "E" or "F" on the inside of his left arm. The victim also had distinctive scars. One was a crescent shape above his left eye, another on his forehead, on the side of his nose and a possible gunshot scar on one of the wrists.

He was clothed in a white T-shirt, jogging shorts and pants and was murdered about two days before the discovery. The murder of the victim has been solved, as a subject was apprehended in 2004. However, the victim remains unidentified, although he may have been native to Texas.^[179]

Missouri[]

St. Charles County Jane Doe[]

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NCMEC reconstruction

The body of a white girl aged two to three years was discovered inside a suitcase that had been thrown into Lake Alton in West Alton, Missouri, in St. Charles County on February 1, 1968. This decedent is also known Jane Doe West Alton.

The child's remains were recovered by two fishermen who had hooked their line on the suitcase, which had been wrapped in blue clothesline and weighted with two 10-pound barbells found inside the suitcase.^[180]

Distinctive features noted of her remains were an abnormally large tooth and a scar above one of her eyes. She had long, blond hair, although due to decomposition, her eye color could not be determined. She was approximately 2 feet 8 inches tall and weighed between 35 and 40 pounds. The sole item of clothing on her remains was a pair of white underwear.^[181]

The child had been dead for up to one month before her body was discovered. She was identified as a homicide victim, although authorities declined to reveal the precise method used to kill her.^[182] She was laid to rest on February 7 in an unmarked grave in the children's section of Oak Grove Cemetery.

After an image of the child was constructed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in September 2015, the body was exhumed on September 24 from her unmarked grave in an effort to obtain a DNA sample. Investigators later announced that the DNA testing conducted on her remains was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, the exhumation would yield a more accurate estimation of the girl's age at the time of her death. Her skull was studied to create a more accurate composite image of her appearance in life.^[183]

St. Louis Jane Doe[]

A girl of African heritage whose headless body was found inside an abandoned property in 1983. Her head has never been found.^[184]

Clay County Jane Doe []

External images
NCMEC Reconstruction (hair style is estimated)
Sketch with Caucasian features
Comb

On April 18, 1985, the partial, skeletal remains of a young African American female were discovered in a field near State Route 210, near Cooley Lake, about 11 miles east of Missouri City, Missouri. She was found to have multiple gunshot wounds to the head. She was estimated to be between 17 and 25 years old and was between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall. She had brown hair. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. Her teeth were found to have not been well cared for, with various teeth decaying. She was initially speculated to be Caucasian, however it was later found that she was African American or Biracial. A brown tortoise shell comb was found with her remains.

In 2016, investigators received a tip that the woman's name may have possibly been "Darlene", and she resided in Kansas City, Kansas with two children, working at an envelope company.^[185]

St. Louis John Doe (1992)[]

External images
Digital 3D reconstruction
Profile

On March 7, 1992, the skeleton of a white male aged between 15 and 25 was located in St. Louis, Missouri in an abandoned building that had previously burned down. He was approximately five feet seven to five feet ten inches tall at a weight around 145 pounds. His hair was either blond or brown and was two inches in length. The decedent had received a fracture to his arm that had healed before his death, indicating some sort of injury was sustained when he was alive.^[186] His dentition was good and he did have some crooked teeth on the top set; four of his molars were repaired. The clothing he wore included a pink shirt, a white shirt with an embossed logo of Myrtle Beach, a black coat, boxers with stripes, jeans, socks and size eight shoes.^[187]

The case is considered a homicide, as evidence of numerous stab wounds were discovered on his ribs. He was originally believed to have been a black male as old as forty-five. After his remains were exhumed for additional physical information, his skull was absent and his coffin was subjected to damage. He could have been deceased from the years 1989 to 1992.^[188]

Vernon County John Doe (2000)[]

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Digital Reconstruction

In January 2000, the skeletal remains of a white man estimated to be between 26 and 36 years of age were discovered in a remote area of Nevada, Missouri, in Vernon County.

The victim had died of a single gunshot wound to the head. Repeated attempts to identify this decedent have been unsuccessful, and the Vernon County Sheriff's Department has requested the public's help.^[189]

In March 2021, Othram Inc. was contacted to assist with the man's identification.^[190]

Nevada[]

Elko County Jane Doe (1972)[]

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Artistic Rendition

On July 14, 1972, the decomposed, nude remains of a young white female were found in rural Elko County, Nevada, about eight miles south of Interstate 80. She had been shot in the neck and left cheek by a .22 caliber handgun and had been deceased for a few months. She was estimated to be between 17 and 25 years old, was 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighed between 105 and 115 pounds. She had a scar on her right knee and an appendectomy scar. A dark blue Volkswagen Beetle had been seen in the area a week before the body was found. It had been reported stolen from Tennessee but was never recovered.^[191]

"Sahara Sue"[]

A young white female with brown eyes and wavy, light brown hair whose body was located in Las Vegas in August 1979. She wore dentures, is estimated to have been aged between 15 and 25 years old, and was 100 to 105 pounds in weight.^[192]

Arroyo Grande Jane Doe[]

A young woman found stabbed to death in Henderson, Nevada, near Arroyo Grande Boulevard on October 5, 1980.^[193] She had died approximately one day before her body was discovered and is estimated to have been aged between 14 and 25.^[194]

Lander County Jane Doe[]

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FACES Reconstruction

On February 26, 1990, the scattered skeletal remains of a young/middle aged Native American female were found on Shoshone Mountain in rural Lander County, Nevada, in an area that had once been used as a mine. She had suffered multiple blows to the head and had been dismembered, with the torso never being found. She had been deceased for between six months and a year. The blows to the head may have occurred postmortem. She was between 25 and 40 years old and was between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall. She had long, dark hair. She also had a healed injury to her right femur, which may have affected her walking. The only item of clothing found was a sterling-silver ring with turquoise and triangular shaped stones, inlaid in an alternating pattern.

"Valerie Doe"[]

External images
Sketch
Profile
"Valerie" bracelet
Sea Serpent Bracelet

On May 26, 1991, the partial skeletal remains of a young white female were found in a shallow grave in Black Rock Desert, Nevada by three travelers. She had been shot in the head at least once and had been deceased for between one and four years. She was estimated to be between 25 and 35 years old and was approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall. Weight, hair color and eye color could not be ascertained. She was found wearing a pair of denim jeans which had been manufactured in England, a black blouse manufactured in Turkey, a dark camisole slip, a bracelet in the shape of a sea serpent and a bracelet with the name "Valerie" on it, leading to the nickname, "Valerie Doe".^[195]

Elko County Jane Doe (1993)[]

External images
Digital reconstruction
Sketch

The nude body of a female, also known as the Shafter Jane Doe, was discovered on November 16, 1993, around six days after her murder had occurred. She was aged between 20 and 35, and had been shot twice: once in the chest region, and once in the back. She had also been beaten.^[196] She was five feet eight inches and 144 pounds with brown eyes and pierced ears, although the earrings were missing, possibly being taken by the killer.^[197] She also had painted her fingernails pink at one time.^[198]

After examination, it was determined that she had used both alcohol and marijuana prior to her death, possibly given birth to a child in the past, and had very healthy teeth. Isotope analysis narrowed her recent place of residence to the city of Afton, Wyoming. Tire tracks near the body indicated that the killer's vehicle was either a pickup truck or a van.^[199] The victim had a mole above her right ear and two scars on her lower right leg.^[198]

"Silver State Jane Doe"[]

External images
Sketch
Additional Sketch
Additional Sketch

On September 19, 1995, the dismembered torso as well as legs and head of a young white/Hispanic female were found at the Silver State Recycling Facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The legs were found in a suitcase. Cause of death was not ascertained but deemed a homicide based on the circumstances. She had died within the last few days. She was between 20 and 30 years old, was approximately 5 feet tall and weighed 200 pounds. She had long brown hair and brown eyes. Her left ear was pierced once and her right ear was pierced twice. Investigators determined that the remains had most likely come from southeastern Las Vegas, after studying the route of the trucks which delivered her remains.^[200]

New Hampshire[]

Bedford Jane Doe[]

External images
Original 3D reconstruction
Second 3D reconstruction

On October 6, 1971, the body of a woman estimated to be aged between 23 and 37 years old was discovered by a hunter on a logging road in Bedford, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.^[201] A forensic examination did not determine the cause of death, but determined that she had died between one and three months before her body was found. Nonetheless, the victim's death is reported to have been suspicious, as reported by investigators. She was around five feet two to five feet five inches tall, 115 to 130 pounds and wore sandals and red socks on her feet, blue cutoff shorts and a reddish blouse.^{[202][203][204][205][206]} The woman may have had brown hair, which was incorporated in the first of two facial reconstructions.

In 2006, a second facial reconstruction was created.^[201][207] This decedent is also known as "Juliet Doe."^[208]

In May, 2020, the DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with identification.^[209]

Bear Brook Jane Doe[]

The remaining unidentified murder victim found in Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, New Hampshire on May 9, 2000. She is believed to have been killed by the man who was later proven to be her biological father, serial killer, Terry Peder Rasmussen.

New Jersey[]

Atlantic County Jane Doe[]

On December 6, 1971, three hunters discovered the skeletonized remains of a white female in woodland in Galloway, New Jersey. Found with the body was a ribbed blue polo shirt, white-blue-and-orange vertically striped hip-hugger trousers, brown sandals, white underwear, and a unique, wide leather bracelet with eyelets with a ladies' Westclock brand watch affixed to it (the watch had been manually affixed to this jewelry). The decedent had straight, light brown or auburn hair of approximately shoulder length,^[210] although her hair may have actually been a wig, as her hair bore evidence of artificial coloration and had various shades of color with the presence of coloring additive. Also found in her possession was a motel key; this key belonged to a nearby motel on the Garden State Parkway.^[211]

The victim was estimated to have been between 12 and 18 years of age, and her cause of death may have been strangulation. Although Atlantic County Jane Doe has a wide age-range of approximation, she was most likely aged 15 or younger at the time of her death. Her height is estimated to be between 5 ft 1 in and 5 ft 4 in (150 and 160 cm), and her weight was likely between 105 and 130 pounds. This decedent's murder is believed to have occurred several months before the discovery of her remains.^[212]

A distinguishing feature of this decedent is that she had an extra sacral vertebra. Another factor noted was that the victim did not bear any sign of having received dental work in life. However, her teeth bore little evidence of decay, although one of her molars was slightly damaged.^[213]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Atlantic County Jane Doe.

Sussex County Jane Doe[]

External images
Sketch
3D Reconstruction
Pants

On June 24, 1980, the skeletal remains of a woman were found in High Point State Park in Sussex County, New Jersey. Her body had been extensively dismembered with a saw, with sections of the body being placed in various trash bags, which had subsequently been disturbed by animals. The bones of her torso were never located.

The victim was between 13 and 20 years old.^[214] Her actual race was difficult to determine, but was determined to be white with an unknown admixture, possibly Hispanic. Her height was between 5 feet and 5 feet 2 inches, and she may have been overweight, although her remains were too decomposed to establish an estimation of her precise weight. Her straight, medium-length hair was dark brown, but had been bleached blond.^[215]

She wore distinctive jeans that had various colors on one of the legs. Her teeth were also considered unique by examiners, as they were of a distinct shape and, although they showed no signs of dental care, were well maintained.^[216]

"Princess Doe"[]

The body of a teenage girl aged between the ages of 15 and 20 found on July 15, 1982, in Blairstown, New Jersey. Because of numerous factors including significant damage to her face, she remains unidentified.^[217] The case has received significant media attention.^[217]

"Baby Mary" []

On December 24, 1984, two boys fishing in a stream in Mendham Township, New Jersey, discovered the full term body of a newborn infant, wrapped in towels inside of a garbage bag. Autopsy determined that the infant had been born alive, and was killed by negligent homicide by exposure. She had died only a few hours prior. Investigators believe that the mother may have told friends and family that the baby was put up for adoption. Investigators re-opened the investigation in 2014, hoping to gain new leads in the case.^[218]

Gloucester County Jane Doe (1986)[]

External images
Digital reconstruction
Towel
Composite of mother

The 1986 Gloucester County Jane Doe is the name given to a female infant whose body was found on December 4, 1986, behind a restaurant in Turnersville, Gloucester County, New Jersey.^[219] The baby had been smothered to death very shortly after being born, and her body disposed of in a nearby dumpster. She was white, approximately twenty-inches tall and weighed around seven pounds, with dark hair and brown eyes.^[220]

After the child's murder, she was wrapped in a distinct pink, black and white towel depicting an African landscape and then placed inside of a gray trash bag.^[221] The victim herself has been reconstructed and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have also created an estimation of what her mother may have looked like, although she has never been located.^[222]

Gloucester County Jane Doe (2004)[]

External images
3D reconstruction
Sketch
Second sketch
Shirts
Capris

On March 2, 2004, a woman's remains were found in Logan Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. She is believed to have been multiracial, as traits from Caucasian, Hispanic and Asian races were found during her autopsy, which led to several reconstructions being made to illustrate her potential likeness.^[223] The woman was aged between 18 and 30 when she was murdered by an undetermined cause. The victim had long dark hair with light highlights and was believed to be at a height between four feet eleven to five feet two inches at a weight between 80 and 110 pounds. Her body was partially disrobed and had also been burned, along with evidence that animals had scavenged the body, after it was dumped alongside interstate 295. Her teeth were in natural condition and she also had possibly borne a child during her life.^[224] Her clothing consisted of two blue shirts with different colored stripes, black pants and pink panties.^[225]

Hudson County Jane Doe[]

External images
3D reconstruction
Sketch
Socks
Ring

On October 18, 2007, the body of a black female was discovered in Bayonne, Hudson County, New Jersey. She was believed to be at the age of 16 to 20 years old when she died, although it was initially presumed that she could have been as old as thirty-five.^[226] Although the cause of the young woman's death was not discovered, it has been listed as suspicious.^[227] It was believed that she had been deceased for approximately three weeks prior to her discovery. Because of this fact, her remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, which may have erased any signs of trauma that she could have endured. In her long, black and braided hair, red and copper-colored extensions were found. The decedent also wore camouflage pants, boy's underwear, a pink halter top and a black bra with red lace.^[228] White socks with orange on the toe area with a green teddy bear design on the side were found on her feet and no shoes were reported to have been found.^[229] The jewelry found on the body included a metal body chain was worn around her waist as well as a plastic brown ring on her right thumb. She was between five feet two inches and five feet five inches and weighed between 118 and 138 pounds when she was still alive.^[230]

Due to decomposition, only partial fingerprints were obtained and the eye color or any possible tattoos or scars could not be determined or found.^[231] Her DNA and dental information was obtained. She had some spaces between her upper front teeth, along with one dental filling on one of her back teeth.^[232] Because of heavy traffic on the road she was found, her body could have been transported from anywhere in the United States.^[228]

New Mexico[]

Guadalupe County Jane Doe[]

On July 11, 1978, a foreman for the New Mexico Highway Department of Transportation found the body of a young woman along Highway 216. She was five feet and eight inches tall, weighed around 145 pounds, and had blonde hair and blue eyes. Her left ear was pierced three times and her right ear was pierced twice.^[233]

She had been shot to death, and serial killer Ronald Lanphear was found to be responsible for her murder. According to Lanphear, he and his girlfriend Diana Geisinger encountered the girl hitchhiking in Perry, Oklahoma, and picked her up. While he did not remember her name, she allegedly said that her seventeenth birthday was on July 11th and she planned to call her mother that day, but she was killed before she could do so.^[234] However, NamUs estimates her age to be 25 years old.

External images
Sketch
3D reconstruction
Profile

Doña Ana County Jane Doe[]

On March 10, 1985, the skeleton of a female aged 16 to 20 was discovered by a group of hunters, hidden under plastic and buried in a shallow grave in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The decedent had died approximately three to six months before her body was discovered.^[235] She is believed to have been white and had blonde or light brown hair, which was likely her natural color, as the presence of pubic hair of the same color indicated. She had painted at least two of her fingernails pink and her skeletal structure bore evidence of abnormalities, some specific conditions of which were noted by a forensic anthropologist to be unusual to occur in someone of the subject's age. The remains were clothed in pink undergarments and a white jersey with the letter "W." Some of the supports in the Jane Doe's bra were noted to have separated from the product.^[236] She also appeared to have possibly suffered a healed injury to the right side of her nose.

Her height was believed to be between five feet and five feet four inches tall (152–162 cm). Although her weight could not be determined, she was most likely of a slim build.

Authorities determined the girl was a victim of homicide but declined to release details of how she was murdered, as the case is currently open.^[237]

"Antonio Perez"[]

On October 8, 1994, a man was found shot to death in a hotel room in Hatch, New Mexico. Allegedly, the assailant knocked on the victim's door, and when he opened it, he was shot once in the chest before the killer fled.

External images
Digital Reconstruction
Shirt

The unidentified victim was 5'6," 138 lbs, and was approximately twenty to forty years old. He had brown hair, brown eyes, and wore a mustache. He also had healed, oval-shaped scars on both elbows.

An investigation revealed a possible name of Antonio Perez and a possible birth date of August 22, 1971, but this has not been confirmed and he remains unidentified.^[238]

Bernalillo County Jane Doe[]

External images
3D Reconstruction
Sketch
Profile

On May 2, 1996, the decomposed remains of a young white (with possible Native American/Hispanic admixture) female was found in a vacant field in an undeveloped area west of Interstate 25 and one mile south of Interstate 40 in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. She had died of blunt force trauma and had been deceased for between 2 and 10 weeks. Her body was then wrapped in six dark green/black garbage bag, which had been tied with a green electrical wire and rope. She was estimated to be between 14 and 19 years old and was approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall. She had light brown hair with hints of red. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. She was found wearing a pair of light blue Levi's jeans, which had been hemmed several inches above the ankles, a pair of support pantyhose, a V-neck, ribbed sweater and a black lace bra.^[239]

"Rodney Jones"[]

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Sketch

A man's mummified corpse was found by electric company workers chained to a telephone pole by the neck on May 27, 1999, near US Route 180 in Luna County, New Mexico.^[240] The man died approximately six months before. He was approximately five feet eight inches tall with light brown hair and a graying beard. He also had green surgical stitches in both his knees. The victim wore an undershirt, a green shirt, jeans, and Nike shoes. The victim was estimated to be between 30 and 50 and was presumed to have been set afire after being chained to the pole, which was burnt halfway. The lighter presumably used to light the fire was found near the man's remains. The chain itself had been fastened with a lock. Interviews conducted in the area turned up a possible name, "Rodney Jones", but this was never confirmed.^[241]

New York[]

North Carolina[]

Wake County Jane Doe[]

External image
Morgue photo (with glasses)

On April 27, 1968, a white woman was witnessed by two women walking down a road near Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. A fire was later seen burning in a field, which the women assumed was a farmer burning something. The next day, when they investigated, they found the woman's body. She was estimated to be between 35 and 45 years old, was approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 130 pounds. She had black hair with hints of dark brown and gray, and small ears. She was wearing a green and white polka dot dress/blouse with a zipper, brown Italian loafers, a greenish-blue all weather coat with gray lining, and remains of undergarments/pantyhose. Various items were also found with the items, including a pair of bifocal glasses, an expensive transistor battery, various cosmetic items, a wire frame and the glass remnants of a mirror, and a possible greenish-blue hair net.

A prime suspect in the case died in 1992. When investigators interviewed the man, he claimed that he and a friend witnessed the body, but when they came back she had vanished. The man planted and grew tobacco in Canada, leading investigators to believe that the woman was not native to the area.

The whereabouts of the remains of the woman are currently unknown, however hair and blood samples were taken before she was interred.^[242]

Iredell County John Doe[]

External image
Digital Reconstruction

On September 19. 1975, the burnt body of a young African American male was found wrapped in blankets on an unpaved rural road leading to the Midway Family Campground in Iredell County, North Carolina. Most of the body had been burned, but the face had been relatively preserved. He was estimated to be between 25 and 40 years old, was approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighed 150 pounds. He had black hair with a full beard and mustache, and brown hair. He was found with fragments of blue denim trousers, used for Navy issue, a belt with a metal buckle, fragments of a white T-shirt, and a blue sneaker. The man's body was later cremated and buried at sea.^[243]

Brunswick County John Doe[]

External images
Digital Reconstruction
Sketch

On May 13, 1977, a young, African American man was found floating in the Brunswick River in Leland, North Carolina. He was found wrapped in burlap, with loops tied around his wrist and neck, indicating homicide. Investigators believe that the man was alive when he was thrown into the river, and may have tried to escape from his confines. He was estimated to be between 18 and 30 years old, was 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighed 112 pounds. He had black hair and mild scoliosis. He was only found clothed in a pair of blue socks. The body was found to be dumped upriver from where it was found, possibly in the Cape Fear River in Elizabethtown or Fayetteville.^[244]

Hillsborough Jane Doe[]

External images
Approximation of shirt and bracelet
NCMEC Reconstruction
FBI Reconstruction

The decomposed body of a female, estimated to have been deceased for between three and six days, was discovered by construction workers on September 19, 1990, at a location known as "Chapel Hill" in Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina. As the remains were found near the New Hope Church Exit, the victim was nicknamed "Hope." The victim was a Caucasian female, aged between 14 and 25—most likely between 18 and 22—at the time of her death. She was found clothed in only a pink shirt decorated with three cartoon-style rabbits, two riding bicycles and one riding a unicycle; a bra; and white socks that were noticeably clean, indicating that she had worn shoes, likely around size six, but they had been removed either before or after death.^[245] She was between five feet three and five feet five inches in height and weighed between 110 and 115 pounds. Jewelry on the body included a ring and a bracelet both made from metal.^[246]

The decedent had shoulder-length brown or strawberry-blond hair with streaks that appeared to have been frosted blond and was cut in layers. She had also undergone surgery to remove her appendix at some point in life, as a scar was noted on her abdomen.^[247] Dental cavities were found on the victim's teeth, yet she had undergone dental treatment in life, as some "restorations" were visible. The victim's wisdom teeth had yet to erupt. Other examinations of the remains indicated she did not appear to have ever broken or fractured a bone, or borne a child.

Days before the remains were found, a female matching the description of the deceased was seen walking along Interstate 85, near the city of Burlington.^[248] It is possible that this female was hitchhiking.^[249] Damage to the victim's neck indicated she was likely strangled to death. The case was ruled as murder; one which has yet to be solved.

Onslow County Jane Doe []

External images
3D Reconstruction (hair is an estimation)
Profile
Digital Composite

On December 2, 1991, the skull of a young white woman was found by a group of hunters in a wooded area in Hubert, North Carolina. The rest of her skeleton was found forty yards away. Cause of death was undetermined, but presumed to be a homicide, and she may have been deceased for between one and three years. She was estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old and was approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall. Weight, hair color and eye color could not be ascertained. She may have had a back/neck problem and had a degenerative bone disease that may have been unknown to her. She was found wearing a gray/brown crew knit sweater with gold thread, dark blue/black stretch pants/slacks, elastic pantyhose, and a pair of white slip-on shoes.

Leads possibly leading to Florida and Texas were investigated in 2009, but yielded no results. Investigators believe she may have died during the fall or winter due to the clothing found. Investigators reopened the case in 2020 to conduct phenotyping testing and forensic genealogic analysis. A US$2,500 reward is currently being offered for information leading to her identity/murder.^[250]

Sampson County Jane Doe[]

External images
Digital 3D reconstruction
Watch
Shoe
3D reconstruction

A white female with Hispanic characteristics was discovered on July 20, 1999, approximately two weeks to two months after her death in Dunn, Sampson County, North Carolina.^[251] The body was badly deteriorated, but the cause of death was determined to be a stab wound to the neck.^[252] The remains were found near a migrant labor camp mainly consisting of Hispanic people, including women.

The victim was aged between 17 and 24 years old, five feet four to five feet seven inches tall, and weighed around 110 pounds. She wore a black spaghetti strap top, blue bra, and green jeans.^[253] Sandals and a yellow watch were also found at the scene. She had painted her fingernails blue at one point and had curly reddish hair. She was not likely a smoker and had no dental cavities, although some wear was observed on her lower row of teeth.^[254]

Mecklenburg County John Doe[]

On December 24, 2008, the partial skeletal remains of a young white man were found in a wooded area of Charlotte, North Carolina. He was estimated to be between 18 and 30 years old, and was between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall. No clothing was recovered with the remains. He had died approximately three years prior to his discovery. Investigators are currently investigating his death as a homicide.

The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with his identification with March 13, 2020.^[255]

Mecklenburg County Jane Doe[]

External images
2016 sketch
Shirt
Shoes

On March 17, 2011, the partial skeletal remains of a young white or Hispanic woman were found in a wooded area in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old and had been deceased for between one and three years. She was found wearing a pair of blue jeans, a white T-shirt with "Virginia Beach Virginia" and a pink flower printed on the front, a black bra, and a pair of navy, plaid canvas boat shoes, which were a boy's size 4. Her death is currently being investigated as a homicide. A sketch of her likeness was created in 2016.

The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the woman's identification on May 2, 2019.^[256]

Ohio[]

Mad Butcher victims[]

The murders of 12 men and women, only two of whom have ever been identified, taking place in between 1935 and 1938. All of the victims were dismembered.^[257]

Ottawa County Jane Doe[]

On October 22, 1975, the remains of an unknown woman were found in Ottawa County, Ohio. The body was unclothed, leading officials to suspect foul play after the case was reopened in 2016.^[258]

The victim had died as a result of drowning and her body lacked any form of trauma to indicate her death was forced. She was aged between 20 and 30 at the time of her death, was about five feet four inches in height and weighed 140 pounds. An examination of her body indicated she may have been pregnant the year before her death. Her hair was a reddish-brown and her eyes were hazel or brown.^[259]

Twinsburg John Doe[]

External images
3D reconstruction
Profile
Sketch
Location the Doe was found

On February 18, 1982, the skull of a young African American man was discovered behind a now closed business in Twinsburg, Ohio. More bones were soon found in a garbage bag, about 40 feet away from the skull. Cause of death was not conclusively found, but evidence showed that he was beaten with a blunt object and stabbed. He had also been possibly dismembered and burned. He was estimated to be between 20 and 35 years old, and was between 5 feet 3 and 5 feet 7 inches tall. Weight, hair color, and eye color could not be ascertained, but it is believed that he had a slender or muscular build. He also had signs of early kyphosis, which may have caused him to have a hunched or slouched appearance. Investigators have followed a lead that the victim may have worked at the now-defunct Chrysler Stamping Plant in Twinsburg. He also may not have been from the region.^[260]

The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the man's identification in June, 2019. In February 2020, they had announced on their Facebook page that the man may have extensive familiar ties to South Carolina, Washington D. C., and Brooklyn, New York, as well as a list of potential surnames.^[261]

"Tanya Greene"[]

External image
Sketch

On October 18, 1986, police were called to an intersection in Cleveland, Ohio. There they found the unrecognizable body of a young African American female. She had been shot to death at another location and then pushed from a car in the intersection. She was estimated to be between 32 and 42 years old, was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed 119 pounds. She had black hair, brown eyes, and a scar on her upper right abdomen. Her gallbladder and spleen had been surgically removed. She was found wearing blue jeans, a pink, long-sleeved sweatshirt, a black bra, a pair of black nylon bikini panties, pink socks, white sneakers, and a single small-loop, yellow-metal earring. Investigators believe that her name may have been "Tanya Greene", a woman who became involved in drug trafficking until she was killed by her employer, accused serial killer Robert Browne, once she became a 'liability.' Browne had been linked to over 20 murders in Florida, as well as another in Ohio.^[262]

Lucas County Jane Doe[]

External image
3D reconstruction

On June 16, 1987, the charred/burned remains of a young white female were found in an alley in Toledo, Ohio near Interstate 75. She had died from an acute cocaine overdose a few days before discovery. Her body was wrapped in a tan tweed carpet and a pool cover, thrown into brush behind an auto body shop and then set ablaze with gasoline. She was estimated to be between 16 and 21 years old, was 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 110 pounds. She had light brown/dark blonde hair which was of medium length, a slender build and had bright pink nail polish on her toenails and fingernails. She may have had some Native American ancestry. She was found wearing a pair of Jordache jeans and five small pearl earrings in each ear. No signs of trauma were found on the body, and investigators believe that those responsible for dumping her may have possibly panicked and dumped the body after she died of the overdose on her own, however have not been able to rule out a homicide. Searching the area, interviewing witnesses and matching the woman to missing women across the country have yielded no results.^[263]

"Luther"[]

External images
3D Reconstruction
Profile
Previous Reconstruction
Shirt

On July 19, 1989, the decomposed remains of a young white male were discovered behind a residence in the weeds near Flat Rock Run Creek in Caledonia, Ohio, by a group of children who were canoeing down the creek. Cause of death could not be determined due to decomposition, although investigators noticed a mark on his neck, suggesting foul play. The creek was also very shallow, discounting the possibility that he drowned. He was estimated to be between 22 and 35 years old, was approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighed between 140 and 170 pounds. He had brown/black hair and a slight beard. He was found wearing a flannel, short sleeved, red and black, striped shirt, multicolored, a knitted sweater with diamond and zigzag designs, a pair of blue jeans, dark red, ribbed socks, and a pair of black Adidas sneakers. Investigators believe that he was not from the area, as he did not match any missing persons reports.^[264]

The DNA Doe Project began assisting with the man's identification in July, 2019.^[265]

Cuyahoga County John Doe[]

External images
Digital reconstruction
Sketch
Jacket

On March 10, 1997, a deceased Asian man was found floating in Lake Erie at the 9th street pier in Cleveland, Ohio. He had been beaten to death and had been deceased for a day before being found. He was estimated to be between 18 and 70 years old, was 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 101 pounds. He had graying black hair and brown eyes. He was found to be missing all of his teeth and wore a full set of dentures. He was found wearing a blue jacket with a red trim, a white sweatshirt with "Operation Desert Shield" on it, a pair of brown pants, a blue and yellow hooded sweatshirt, a pink undershirt, a pair of blue briefs, a thermal top, a pair of gold pajama bottoms, a pair of brown socks, a brown cap, a brown belt and a pair of black shoes.^[266]

Oklahoma[]

Wagoner County John Doe[]

External images
3D Reconstruction
Additional Reconstruction
Sketch

On April 30, 1980, the decomposing remains of a possibly Native American middle aged man were found in Wagoner, Oklahoma. He had suffered three gunshot wounds, two to the head and one to the leg. He was estimated to be between 50 and 60 years old, was between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed between 140 and 150 pounds. He had brown, medium length hair and a beard. He may have possibly used tobacco, and had poor dental health. He was found wearing an insulated work suit, white underwear, a pair of work boots, a silver Timex watch, turquoise coral rings and a brown ski mask. His body had been left in a supine position with his hands in his coverall pockets.^[267]

Canadian County Jane Doe[]

External images
3D reconstruction
Ring

On January 5, 1990, the skeletal remains of a young/middle aged white (with possible Native American/Hispanic admixture) woman was found by a telephone company crew in a creek bed one mile north of Interstate 40 in a remote area of Canadian County, Oklahoma. She had been struck in the head with a blunt object. She was between 18 and 40 years old and was between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall. She may have had brown hair and was possibly right handed. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. Fragments of a pair of light tan slacks, a light tan cloth belt with a gold buckle, a white baseball cap, a white collared shirt, and a gold ring with a filigree heart were found with or near the remains.^[268]

Sequoyah County Jane Doe[]

External images
Reconstruction with Caucasian features
Reconstruction with Asian features

On October 23, 1994, the skeletal remains of a middle aged white/Asian American female were found near State Route 64D in rural Sequoyah County, Oklahoma. Her body was wrapped in landscaping plastic and tied with twine, then buried under a pile of cut brush. She had been deceased for between a few weeks to six months. She was estimated to be between 35 and 50 years old, was between 5 feet 1 inch and 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed between 100 and 125 pounds. She had gray and dark brown, straight hair, cut in a crew cut. She had also had extensive dental work done during her life.

A witness had reported seeing an object wrapped in black plastic being dragged by a man into the woods where the body was found. The man was reported to be driving a blue 1990's Chevrolet Blazer with an Arkansas license plate. He was of medium height and had a slender build, as well as brown hair and a mustache.^[269]

Oregon[]

Oak Grove Jane Doe[]

A woman believed to be aged between 40 and 50 whose dismembered remains were discovered on April 12, 1946. Her remains were subsequently lost by law enforcement.^[270]

Coos County John Doe[]

External images
Sketch
3D reconstruction

The skeleton of a man between the ages of 50 and 80 was discovered on August 26, 1972, in Bandon, Coos County, Oregon.^[271] He had been killed by two gunshots; both were located on the skull, which still contained the bullets.

The victim had died between 1967 and 1969, as the condition of his remains indicated. At the scene, which was near highway 101, three coins and two unfired bullets were found along with the man's clothing and dentures. He wore a hat, socks made from wool, a car key on a ring, a belt and a pair of leather boots which had white soles. It is possible that his dentures may have been from a local establishment serving veterans in 1966, as inscriptions on them indicated.^[272] In 2007, the DNA of the "John Doe" was tested against the family members of missing Idaho man Fred Miller; however there was no match.^[273]

Marion County John Doe (1980)[]

External images
Artistic Rendering
Sketch

On July 18, 1980, a man's body was found on the side of Interstate 5 in Salem, Oregon. He had been strangled to death with a ligature only two to three hours earlier. He was between 35 and 45 years old, was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed 160 pounds. He had balding brown hair, a mustache, and blue eyes. He was found wearing a red T-shirt, Wrangler blue jeans, socks, and leather moccasin toe boots with the laces missing.

He is believed to be a victim of serial killer Randy Steven Kraft, and his death may be referred to as "Portland Elk" on Kraft's infamous scorecard.^[274]

Linn County John Doe[]

External images
Artistic Rendition
Profile
Sketch
Reconstruction of Clothing

On October 23, 2006, the skeletal remains of a young to middle aged white man were found in a shallow grave near Big Springs Snow Park, north of Santiam Junction, Oregon. Cause of death could not be determined but was deemed a homicide due to the circumstances. He was estimated to be between 25 and 45 years old and was between 5 feet 7 inches and 6 feet 1 inch tall. His weight, hair color, and eye color could not be ascertained. He was described as having a robust build, and was suffering from spondylolsis, which would have caused him pain. He had had little to no dental work done during his life and his teeth were in bad condition. He was found wearing a gray T-shirt with a logo, black denim pants, blue nylon athletic pants with black trim and white leather shoes.

Isotope testing done by Parabon Nanolabs indicated that he may have been from Texas, Florida, Louisiana, or Oklahoma. He may have been living a transient lifestyle shortly before his death.^[275]

Pennsylvania[]

Boy in the Box[]

A young boy found in wrapped in a blanket inside a cardboard box in the woods off Susquehanna Road in Fox Chase, Philadelphia on February 25th, 1957. He died from severe blunt force trauma visible across his body.^[276] His hair had been cut, possibly after his death, and he was severely malnourished.^[277]

Perry County Jane Doe[]

A woman whose body was found in Watts Township, Perry County, on June 20th, 1979. The cause of her death is unknown, but is ruled as suspicious.^[278]

Rhode Island[]

Providence County John Doe[]

The Providence County John Doe is a man whose decomposing body was found floating in a pond on June 18, 1987, in Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island.^[279] The victim had received 21 stab wounds to his head and chest, possibly inflicted by an ice pick. His body was weighted down by rocks and barbells that were enclosed around his remains with chicken wire. The decedent is believed to have died a week to three weeks before his body surfaced.

A forensic examination of his remains indicated he may have been Hispanic, aged between 25 and 35, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was five feet five inches tall and weighed approximately 122 pounds. The decedent wore a mustache and beard, and his hairline was receding. He was found wearing a black shirt, gray sweatpants and shoes, although he wore no socks.^[280]

South Carolina[]

Aiken County Jane Does[]

External images
NCMEC reconstruction of first victim
3D reconstruction of second victim
Previous reconstruction of first victim

On November 16, 1987, the remains of a mixed-race woman of predominantly African and possibly Asian or East Indian heritage were found in Aiken County, South Carolina. The cause of death was not determined, but the bodies of two homicide victims were found within a half-mile of the same location, one in 1991 and one in 1993. The deceased had a visible overbite and analysis of her hair indicated that she used cocaine.^[281] She was estimated to have been dead for between one and five years, and to have been between the ages of 17 and 25 at the time of her death. She was between 5 feet 8 and 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed between 150 and 160 pounds.^[282]

On January 25, 1993, the body of another unidentified woman was found in the same vicinity. She was aged between twenty-five and thirty-two, stood between 5 feet 4 and 5 feet 7 inches tall, and died from a stab wound to the back of the neck. Like the previous victim, she had protruding teeth and wore no clothing; unlike the previous victim, her body had been burned. She was estimated to have been dead for around one to three years. Convicted serial killer Henry Louis Wallace has been questioned in relation to these deaths, as he confessed to murdering black women in North and South Carolina in the relevant timeframe. However, no charges have been brought.^[283]

Beaufort County Jane Doe[]

External image
Digital reconstruction

The body of a Hispanic or biracial woman was found strangled on May 24, 1995, in Yemassee, Beaufort County, South Carolina.^[284] Although the body was found laying face down, postmortem lividity indicated that it had been face-up for at least the first twelve hours after death, indicating that some time had passed between the death and disposal of the body. The victim had been between 30 and 35 years old, 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall, and weighed 120 pounds (54 kg); both ears were pierced twice, and two earrings were present in each. She had scars from thyroid surgery and a caesarean section, and had undergone a hysterectomy. Her hair was naturally brown but was dyed red. She was nude except for panties.^[285][286]

Startex Jane Doe[]

External images
Artistic Rendition
Profile

The skeletonized remains of a white female were discovered by a group of teenagers on October 26, 2011, in a wooden area near Highway 290 in Startex, South Carolina. She was estimated to be between 40 and 55 years old and stood at 5 feet 5 inches with an indeterminate weight. She had short reddish-brown hair and both ears had been pierced at least once. A gold stem earring with a red stone was found near her head. Investigators determined that she was killed through homicidal violence and then buried under debris at the site.^[287] The DNA Doe Project was enlisted to assist with identifying the body in May, 2020.^[288]

South Dakota[]

St. Onge John Doe[]

On February 19, 2000, the skeletal remains of a young man of indeterminate race were found partially covered in a reclaimed landfill in St. Onge, South Dakota. He was found to have been killed by multiple gunshots to the head and body, and had been deceased for approximately 6 months. He was estimated to be between 20 and 25 years old, and was 5 feet 7 inches tall. He had dark hair. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. He had no dental work done in his life and had a severe overbite which would have noticeably caused his top lip to not be able to close over his bottom. He was found wearing a purple and blue striped short sleeved "Britannia" brand button-up shirt, a pair of blue Wrangler jeans, a pair of tan "Stubbles" brand swim trunks, a pair of white Hanes underwear, a green and purple horizontal striped "Bill Blass" brand lightweight jacket, a pair of "Spaulding" brand sneakers, and a worn leather belt with a silver oblong buckle.

DNA Testing found that he was of 43% Northern and Central American heritage and 51% European heritage.^[289]

Tennessee[]

External images
Digital 3D reconstruction
Profile

Maury County Jane Doe[]

On February 14, 1975, the virtually skeletonized remains of a black woman between the ages of 15 and 25 years were discovered in Maury County, Tennessee. Her body was found near a highway, leading investigators to believe that she may not have been a native of Tennessee.

An examination of the decedent's body indicated she most likely died six to nine months prior to the discovery of her body, thus making the most likely time of her death in the spring or summer of 1974. She was 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches in height, and weighed between 127 and 137 pounds. She wore a red top decorated with a seashell design, blue pants with a floral design, undergarments, and wedgie shoes. Her hair was black and kinky; her eye color could not be determined. Her autopsy also noted a distinctive dental trait: she had an extra tooth in her upper jaw.^[290] The victim had received several bone fractures during her life; two of which were fully healed at the time of her death. The unhealed fractures of the decedent were found in her pelvis and ribs.^[291]

It is possible the decedent was either the victim of a car accident or had been intentionally run down by a car, as her unhealed bone injuries and the location of her body suggest.^[292] The remains of a young dog were also found near her body, but it is not known if she owned the animal.^[293]

The skull of Maury County Jane Doe was reconstructed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2012.^[294]

The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with her identification in September, 2020.

Davidson County Jane Doe (1976)[]

The body of a teenage Hispanic or Native American girl was discovered on March 24, 1976, in Nashville, Tennessee. She had died of drowning approximately one day prior to her discovery under unknown, but suspicious circumstances. She was 5 feet 2 inches in height and weighed between 120 and 130 pounds. This girl's age is estimated to be between 14 and 17 years old and she had large breasts for her age and a mole near her left temple. She also had scars on both arms which may have been caused by cigarette burns.

Prior to her death, Davidson County Jane Doe had been seen in the company of another girl who was never located; according to witnesses who had seen the two together, the deceased had called herself a name phonetically sounding like "Sherry" or "Cheryl", and both girls claimed that they had run away from a treatment center in St. Paul, Minnesota, and were heading to Haines City, Florida. Her traveling companion was a white teenage girl with sandy-blonde hair and who wore wire-rimmed glasses.^{[295][296][297]}

Rutherford County John Doe []

On August 1, 1978, the decomposed remains of a young to middle aged white man were found burning in a trash pile near the Poole Knobs Campground, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He had been shot four times, twice in the face, and had most likely been killed at another location. He was estimated to be between 31 and 45 years old and was 5 feet 10 inches tall. He had graying brown hair and brown eyes. He also had a scar on his abdomen and bilateral scars from an aorta bypass surgery. He had no teeth, and a partial set of dentures were recovered. The only discernable piece of clothing on the victim was a possible pair of jockey shorts.^[298]

Othram Inc. was contacted in late November 2020 to help identify the man.^[299]

Cheatham County Jane Doe[]

On March 31, 1985, the skeletonized body of a red-haired white female believed to be between the ages of thirty-one and forty^[300] was found in Pleasant View, Cheatham County, Tennessee. She was between five and five feet two inches (157 cm) tall. Her weight could not be determined. An examination of her teeth showed some evidence of crowding and overlapping.^[301] She is believed to have died three to five months previously.^[302][303] The murders may have continued until 1992.^{[304][305][306][307][301]}

Campbell County Jane Doe (1985)[]

On April 3, 1985, the skeletonized partial remains of a young girl were discovered about 200 yards off Big Wheel Gap Road, four miles southwest of Jellico, Campbell County, Tennessee, near a strip mine. She was believed to have been dead between one and four years. Her age was estimated between 9 and 15. She was found by a passerby.^[308] A necklace and bracelet made of plastic buttons were found nearby, as well as a pair of size 5 boots and a few scraps of clothing. These items may or may not belong to her.^[309] Recent forensic analysis of the victim's remains indicated she was not native to the area where she was discovered. The tests showed she was likely born in Florida or central Texas, and had later lived in the Midwest, Rocky Mountain states, the Southwest or the Pacific Coast.^[308]

Campbell County Jane Doe (1998)[]

The body of a black female was discovered on October 25, 1998. She had received a gunshot wound to the head, several stab wounds and her body also revealed evidence of her having been beaten prior to her death. She was aged between 30 and 40, was five feet six inches in height and weighed 130 pounds. She had died days prior to her discovery.^{[310][311][312][313]}

According to her forensic examination, Campbell County Jane Doe had an extra tooth visible on the right side of her mouth and also had several impacted teeth, giving her a distinct smile.^[314] Forensic facial reconstructions of this decedent were screened on Good Morning America in 2004 in an attempt to generate leads as to her identity, but no sufficient clues were generated via this initiative.

The woman's body was exhumed in March 2015 to extract DNA from her remains.^[315]

Davidson County Jane Doe (1998)[]

On March 19, 1998, the body of a white female between the ages of 45 and 55 was discovered in the Cumberland River in Nashville. She had been shot twice in the head approximately one day before her body was located, and her body was dressed in athletic pants, underwear and one Reebok shoe. She wore jewelry, including a gold necklace with a Leo zodiac pendant and two rings; one of which was gold and the other black.^[316]

The victim was overweight for her height, weighing 167 pounds at her height of five feet two inches. Her teeth had been extensively cared for in life: dental work valued at approximately $10,000 was visible on her teeth, indicating she likely hailed from a higher socioeconomic class.^[317] Her hair was brown with highlights and her eyes were green.^[316]

A man had been seen in the company of this woman inside a store prior to her death; he had worn the same pendant as her. This individual was never located. In 2011, the decedent's DNA was entered into national forensic databases, although no matches have been made with her remains.^[318] In October 2020, it was found that the woman may have had familial ties to Chilton County, Alabama.^[319]

"Lady in the Lake" []

External images
3D Reconstruction
Additional Reconstruction
Sketch
Profile

On March 6, 2000, the decomposed and nude remains of a young white female were discovered by two fishermen floating in Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. She was found to have drowned, but investigators have not ruled out a homicide due to her being nude. She had died a few weeks before being found. She was estimated to be between 24 and 35 years old and was 5 feet 9 inches tall. Weight, hair color, and eye color could not be ascertained. She had pierced ears and possible signs of scoliosis. Her teeth were also well cared for. The body of water in which the woman was found is a reservoir of the Clinch River, leading investigators to believe that her body may have flowed to where she was found, about a quarter mile downstream from Knox County. Investigators believe she may have been the victim of a kidnapping, and may have disappeared in February 2000.^[320]

Blount County Jane Doe []

External images
NCMEC Reconstruction
3D Reconstruction
Shirt

On March 25, 2003, surveyors found the scattered skeletal remains of a young, African American female in a drainage creek in Alcoa, Tennessee, an area close to the Knox Airport. Later searches in December uncovered additional remains. Investigators believe that she may possibly be a victim of a truck driver serial killing. She is believed to have been deceased for anywhere between 8 months and 4 years. She was estimated to be between 17 and 25 years old, and between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall. She had black hair and synthetic braids possibly woven into her hair. She was found wearing a sleeveless tank top with the phrase "I don't need a great deal of love, just a steady supply", a blue fleece hoodie jacket, and a waistband. She may have possibly worked in the health care industry.^[321]

Chattanooga-Birchwood John Doe []

External images
Sketch
Profile
Shirt

On August 29, 2006, a group of hunters found the body of a middle aged white male near Chickamauga Lake in Birchwood, Tennessee. His body had been concealed in a black plastic bags, leading investigators to believe that he had been murdered. He had been dead for over two months. He was between 40 and 55 years old, was approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, and weighed between 160 and 210 pounds. He had brown hair, a surgical scar on his right elbow, no upper teeth, and a compressed disc in his lower back which may have caused back issues. He was found wearing a gray t-shirt with images of Tom and Jerry on it, blue jeans, light colored cotton socks, white sneakers, and a light colored bandanna.^[322] The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with identifying the man in December 2018.^[323]

Rutherford County Jane Doe[]

External image
FACES reconstruction

The skeleton of a woman of African heritage was discovered on November 14, 2007, in La Vergne, Rutherford County. She had been murdered approximately four months prior to her discovery, and her clothing had been removed. Although the actual cause of Rutherford County Jane Doe's death has not been conclusively determined, her hands and feet had been bound with yard trimmer cords.

This decedent was approximately five feet six inches in height and aged between her mid 20s and mid 30s; her hair was short and brown. Her teeth also revealed she had undergone dental surgery in her lifetime. She wore two bracelets (one of which contained pictures) and a ring.^[324]

Although this decedent is believed to have been of African heritage, investigators cannot exclude the possibility she may have been biracial.^{[325][326][327][328]}

The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with identification in April, 2020.^[329]

Jefferson County John Doe (2019)[]

External images
Shirt
Belt buckle
"GERALD" inscribed onto the belt

On March 10, 2019, the skeletal remains of a young man of unknown ethnicity were found inside of a golf bag that had washed ashore onto the beach of Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tennessee. The man was estimated to be between 18 and 39 years old, and was between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall. He was found wearing a black Walking Dead T-shirt, a pair of blue jeans, a black belt with a white buckle with the name "Gerald" inscribed on it, and a pair of white socks. Investigators are treating the man's death as a homicide.

The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the man's identification on March 3, 2020.^[330]

His NamUs profile was taken down in mid-July 2021 and it was announced that he had been identified per the regional medical examiner, however no details have yet been released regarding his identity.

Texas[]

Vermont[]

Addison County victims[]

External images
3D reconstruction of youngest child
3D reconstruction of adult victim

The skeletonized remains of three individuals: a woman; a male child; and a teenager whose sex remains undetermined, were discovered in Middlebury, Vermont on May 15, 1935. Each victim had been shot in the head between one and three years prior to their discovery.^[331] The woman's DNA showed she may have been the mother of the teenage victim, but testing of the youngest victim was inconclusive.^[332] The woman was estimated to be aged between 35 and 45; the male child aged between nine and 11, and the teenager^[333] between 13 and 15 at the time of his or her death.

At the crime scene, investigators recovered feathers from a pillow and pearl buttons presumed to belong to pajamas, as well as rope fragments, a blanket, and a green and buff canvas awning. Other than the buttons, no clothing was recovered, but the teenager had gold "ribbon-arch" braces on his or her upper jaw.^[333] Facial reconstructions of the oldest and youngest victims were created in 2015.^[334]

Virginia[]

Fairfax County John Doe[]

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NCMEC reconstruction

On June 13, 1972, the nude body of a boy of African heritage aged between three and six years old was found in Massey Creek, Virginia. He was four feet tall, weighed just 50 pounds, and had been dead less than 24 hours.^[335] The cause of death was determined to be multiple blows to the head.^[336]

Rockingham County Jane Doe[]

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Profile
3D Reconstruction
Sketch

On November 14, 1980, the skeletal remains of a young white female was found, partially buried in a shallow grave in the George Washington National Forest in Rockingham County, Virginia. Investigators believe foul play was involved, and that she may have been deceased for up to sixteen years, as a coin with the year 1964 was found with her remains. She was estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old and was between 5 feet and 5 feet 5 inches tall, and may have given birth at least once. Her weight, hair color, and eye color could not be ascertained. She was found wearing a silk slip, white stockings, garter straps and a heart shaped necklace. Some speculated in 2008 that she was missing woman Georgia Nolan, however this was later ruled out.^[337]

Hanover County John Doe[]

On February 23, 1982, the decomposed remains of a young/middle aged white/Hispanic man were found in a thicket on the side of Interstate 95, north of Doswell, Virginia. He had been shot multiple times in the head and chest, and had been deceased for about three months. It is unknown if the man was killed at the scene or elsewhere. He was speculated to be of South American origin. He was estimated to be between 25 and 45 years old, was between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed between 190 and 195 pounds. He had short, balding, dark brown/black hair. He had a stocky build and was missing his appendix and gall bladder. He had a gold crown on one of his teeth. He was found wearing a thick, white, ski sweater with gray and red horizontal stripes across the mid chest, a baby blue T-shirt which read "Someone went to Florida and all I got was this lousy T-shirt", new, tan cowboy boots, brown support socks, an 18 carat gold crucifix on a gold chain, a wedding band with the name "Lucy" and the date "4-14-75" on it, and a Seiko watch with dates in English and Spanish, which had stopped at November 29, 1981.^[338]

Quantico John Doe[]

On September 19, 1984, the body of an Asian male estimated to be in his mid-20s was discovered in Quantico, Prince William County, Virginia, next to the Joplin Road exit of Interstate 95. His time of death was estimated as approximately 24 hours prior to being found and his cause of death was determined to be homicide by ligature strangulation. His height was 5'2" to 5'3" and he weighed from 100 to 120 pounds. He was wearing a John Henry tan long sleeve dress shirt with thin white stripes in boy's size 6, and boys size 12 Fruit of the Loom briefs. He had numbers tattooed on three fingers of his left hand: a nine on his middle finger, a six on his ring finger and what was possibly a one on his little finger.^[339][340]

Rockbridge County John Doe[]

External images
3D reconstruction
Reconstruction with glasses
Belongings

The decomposing body of a white male was found on May 27, 1987, in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was estimated to be between 20 and 40 years of age (most likely being aged in his early twenties). The decedent's hair was brown and he was approximately five feet four inches tall. He was presumed to have been nearsighted, as he wore plastic-framed glasses to treat the condition, issued by a Veterans Administration. The decedent's possessions included a switchblade along with a cross necklace, ten dollars and twelve cents, a cassette tape, memo pad, a lighter, and a pen. His clothing included a short-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, white socks with yellow and green stripes, a brown belt with paint-spattering, brown shoes, and a coat.^[341]

The man had been killed by two gunshot wounds by a man named John Swartz, who has since been convicted of his murder. The victim had allegedly been picked up at a truck stop by Swartz and had informed Swartz his name was Chris.

Swartz had paid the decedent to assist him with unloading cargo, which he then used to buy several items. After Swartz had picked up a second shipment, 'Chris' requested more money along with some of the items in the vehicle, threatening Swartz with the knife he had purchased with his initial payment. This physical threat was accompanied by a verbal threat of informing authorities he had an "unauthorized passenger" inside his vehicle. After he had taken contact information that was later discovered in his pockets, Swartz eventually killed the man and proceeded with his shipment.^[342]

Fairfax County Jane Doe[]

External images
3D reconstruction
Belongings

Construction workers discovered the skeletal remains of a 26 to 31-year-old woman in a shallow grave in Centreville, Fairfax County on December 6, 1993.^[343] The woman had been stabbed to death, most likely in the late 1980s or early 1990s. Multiple articles of clothing were found with her body, as well as a clip-on button earring. In addition, she was wearing dark pink nail polish on her fingernails.

Fairfax County Jane Doe was estimated to be between five feet and five feet three inches in height and had "dark blond to brown hair". The dental care she had received was relatively poor as many of her teeth were in an advanced state of decay. She is presumed to be white, although it is possible that she may have been Hispanic.^[344]

"Baby Hope"[]

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Shirt

On December 21, 1996, a custodian at the Lillian Vernon mail order warehouse in Virginia Beach, Virginia discovered the body of a newborn, Asian infant, hanging from a plastic bag inside of the woman's locker room. Investigators believe that the child was born inside of the facility, as the facility had substantial security. The newborn was 19 inches tall and weighed 5 to 6 pounds. She was found wrapped in a red golf shirt, with a crest on the shirt with the words "Sport, Athletic, Champion". Investigators found that 4000 employees were working at the warehouse when the body was found, and have tested multiple women's DNA, with no results. In 2017, Parabon Nanolabs determined that the child was of East Asian descent. Her parents may have been of Cambodian, Dai, Lahu, Thai, Vietnamese, or Filippino descent.^[345]

Washington[]

Yakima County Jane Doe (1977)[]

On July 25, 1977, the decomposed body of a young white female was discovered in the back of an abandoned green van behind the old Yakima Hardware Company parking lot in Yakima, Washington. The van had not been driven for months by the owner, and the rear door was found to be latched, not locked. She had been struck with a blunt object in the face, strangled, sexually mutilated, and then dropped off in the abandoned van. She was estimated to be between 18 and 30 years old, was between 5 ft 3 in and 5 ft 9 in (160 and 175 cm) tall, and weighed between 120–160 pounds (54–73 kg). She had brown hair and brown eyes, as well as a small five-pointed star tattooed on her inner-right thigh. She was only wearing a pair of socks, but a green sweater, a yellow handmade dress, a blue shirt, some blue corduroy jeans, and a pair of black boots were found on top of or near the body. A pair of white panties was found outside of the van.

A tip came in to investigators stating that the woman was a West Valley resident who was seeking a divorce while living with her boyfriend. Another stated that they had seen the young woman at a cafe, and spent a lot of time with a members of a motorcycle gang. The woman was exhumed in 2004 for fingerprints and tissue samples to be sent to the FBI, which turned up no results.^[346]

Pierce County Jane Doe (1978) []

On August 29, 1978, the skull of a teenage white female was found by a pair of fishermen near the Mashell River, southwest from Eatonville, Washington. Investigators believe she may have been a victim of a homicide. She was estimated to be between 15 and 20 years old and was 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall. She had long brown hair with blonde highlights. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. She was most likely a smoker. She was found wearing a blue sweater with pink shoulders and a zipper, a multi-colored T-shirt with a button front, blue denim pants, a green windbreaker jacket with inside pockets, panties, and a pair of blue sneakers with a white chevron on each shoe. A Marlboro cigarette pack was also found.

It has long been speculated that she may be Donna Gail Manson, a victim of Ted Bundy, who disappeared in 1974 from Olympia, Washington and wore similar clothing. Conclusive identification is implausible, if not impossible, since her remains and clothing were destroyed in 1985 and the coroner records are now missing.^[347]

Spokane County Jane Doe[]

On June 20, 1984, the nude remains of a woman were found in the Spokane River in Spokane County, Washington. Initially believed to be aged between 16 and 30, a further examination conducted in 1998 indicated that she was actually aged between 16 and 35 years old at the time of her death.^[348]

The decedent was white, around five feet five inches in height and weighed approximately 130 pounds. She had two prominent moles on her neck, and is known to have suffered from a minor case of spina bifida. She also had a scar on both her left arm and on one of her knees. Her body was extensively dismembered, with her head, hands and feet being severed from her body. A separate hand was located around the time of the discovery of her torso, but was determined not to have belonged to the decedent. She is known to have borne at least one child during her life.^[349]

Her head was not located until 1998, which was matched with the DNA of the victim. She had suffered a blow to the face, which had caused fractures to her skull. Additionally, sharp force trauma was found on the side of the head.

Several reconstructions have been created of Spokane County Jane Doe's face.^[349]

Green River victims[]

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Reconstruction of Jane Doe B-17

On January 2, 1986, the body of a female was found in Auburn, King County, Washington. She was aged between 14 and 19 and had lain undiscovered for between two and six years.^[350]

Another Green River victim also remains unidentified. Her remains were discovered in August 2003. Due to the recovered remains being partial, no option exists to reconstruct her face, although she is believed to have been aged between 13 and 24. Ridgway described this victim as a white female in her mid-teens or early twenties with blond or brown hair and around 135 pounds in weight.

The victims are known as "Jane Doe B-17" and "Jane Doe B-20," respectively.^[351][352] Most, though not all, of the Green River Killer's victims who have been identified were involved in prostitution.^[353]

Yakima County Jane Doe (1988) []

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3D Reconstruction
Sketch

On February 16, 1988, the skeletal remains of a young Native American female were found on a dirt road tribal land near the Parker Dam in Yakima County, Washington. Investigators do not believe she was part of the Yakima Nation. Investigators also suspect she may be a victim of John Bill Fletcher Jr., a serial rapist who had committed two murders in the area. She was estimated to be between 26 and 40 years old and was approximately 5 feet tall. She had black/dark brown hair which was bleached lighter, and high cheekbones. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained, but she was described as having a petite build. She was found wearing lavender pants, a long sleeved shirt with a Mexican label, and brown "Bowling type" shoes.

It was announced in December, 2018, that her remains would be exhumed for DNA testing.^[354]

Spokane County John Doe[]

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Sketch
Snake Tattoo
Eagle Tattoo
Snake and Tree Branch tattoo

On July 3, 1989, a bulldozer working at a county dump unearthed the decomposing remains of a middle-aged white male. Cause of death could not be ascertained, however homicide is suspected due to the circumstances. He was estimated to be between 40 and 65 years old and approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall. Weight, hair color, and eye color could not be ascertained. He was found to have 3 tattoos: one on his right bicep of a green, black, and white snake design, one on his right forearm of a snake and a tree branch with green leaves, and an animal head, possibly a panther, and one on his left forearm of an eagle, a portion of a tree top and a mountain. He was found wearing a pair of bluish-green slacks with an elastic waistband. Investigators believe the man may have been dumped by a dump truck at the landfill about two to three weeks prior.^[355]

Grays Harbor County Jane Doe []

On October 24, 1988, a group of mushroom hunters discovered the skeletal remains of a young Native American/Asian American woman on a logging road in Elma, Washington. She had been shot in the head and had been deceased for up to five years. She was estimated to be between 22 and 40 years old, was between 4 feet 10 inches and 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed 100 pounds. She had dark brown hair and a medium to stocky build. She was found wearing a blue shirt, black pants, a white multi-colored blouse with a floral pattern, dark blue slip on shoes, a gold earring with five sapphires, and a pearl with silver setting ring.^[356] Investigators believe she was of Southeast-Asian descent, as the county had a large population of transient Cambodian refugees during the times. The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with identifying the woman in March, 2020.^[357]

Pierce County John Doe (1989) []

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NCMEC Reconstruction
Profile
Shirt

On March 18, 1989, a hiker discovered the skeletal remains of a young white male in a wooded area of Carbon River Canyon in rural Pierce County, Washington. He had been stabbed in the chest once and had been deceased for at least a year. He was estimated to be between 17 and 24 years old, was approximately 6 feet tall and weighed between 150 and 160 pounds. He had brown hair and a narrow jaw, as well as an extra vertebra and an extra right rib which may have caused back pain. He was found wearing a pair of Levi jeans, a T-shirt with a picture of a lion and the words "SINGHA", "lager beer" and "Boon Rawd Brewery Bangkok", blue and white sneakers with Velcro, Fruit of the Loom underwear, white socks with faded horizontal stripes, and a long sleeve button down shirt with purple buttons. The shirt was noted to have been popular with soldiers in the late 1980s. His body was exhumed in 2014 for DNA collection and to make a facial reconstruction.^[358]

Tukwila John Doe[]

On January 8, 1997, partial skeletal remains were found during an excavation of a new residence in Tukwila, Washington. Investigators initially believed that the remains belonged to an adult woman, with a more specific age range being impossible to determine. The remains were believed to belong to a female, possibly a victim of Gary Ridgway. Items found on the scene included a brown leather backpack, a pair of JCPenney nylon-type underwear, lace bikini-type underwear, a blue hair barrette, a Nike tube sock, and various scraps of other clothing. The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with their identification on June 12, 2020.^[359]

It was found in February 2021, through testing, that the remains actually belonged to a male. Various aspects of the cases, such as Ridgway's involvement, the preferred gender of the victim, and whether the clothing items even belonged to the victim are now currently being investigated further.

Lewis County Jane Doe (2011) []

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Profile
Artistic Rendition

On April 7, 2011, the partial skeletal remains of a young African American female were found along a logging trail by a passing motorist in Morton, Washington. She had been deceased for three months, and had possibly been moved from another burial site. She was estimated to be between 18 and 30 years old. Hair color and eye color are not conclusively known, but are believed to be black and brown, respectively, based on DNA phenotyping by Parabon Nanolabs. She was initially believed to be Caucasian until this phenotyping proved she was of Somali or East African descent. She may possibly be a victim of serial killer, Israel Keyes.^[360]

Peter Kalama Lane Jane Doe[]

On November 6, 2013, a large scale search was conducted in a wooded area of the Nisqually Indian Reservation near Yelm, Washington, after a dog brought home a leg bone to its owner. The team, consisting of thirty search and rescue volunteers and dog teams uncovered the skeletal remains of a white woman, who was between 30 and 60 years old. Physical characteristics were not able to be determined with the remains. It is suspected that her body had been dismembered postmortem by human means, leading investigators to believe she was most likely murdered.

The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with her identification on July 3, 2020.^[361]

McCollum Park John Doe[]

On September 6, 2020, the skeletal remains of a young to middle aged man of mixed race was found, buried, by a transient man in McCollum Park in Everett, Washington.^[362] His cause of death could not be determined, but investigators ruled it a homicide based on the circumstances. He was estimated to be between 22 and 43 years old and was between 5 feet 3 and 5 feet 9 inches tall. Weight, hair color, and eye color could not be determined. He was found to possibly have pronounced buck teeth. No clothing was found with the remains.

Othram Inc. was contacted in August 2021 to help identify the man.^[363]

West Virginia[]

Morgan County Jane Doe[]

On May 10, 1950, the nude body of a white female was discovered in Morgan County, West Virginia. She had been strangled to death within 48 hours prior to her discovery, with her body being discarded in a wooded area close to the state border of Maryland. She was estimated to be between the ages of 35 and 50 at the time of her death.

The victim had reddish hair in a perm, was approximately five feet five inches tall, and weighed between 125 and 135 pounds. The victim had several distinctive scars on her body; one shaped like the letter "w" on her forehead; and another shaped like the letter "y" on one of her wrists. A scar from a hysterectomy and an appendectomy were also present.^[364] Her hands were noticeably small, and she had freckles on the back of both hands and on her arms. Despite the fact the decedent was found shortly after her death, her eye color is unknown.

In 2007, the body was exhumed to obtain DNA information in efforts to determine her identity.^[365]

Wetzel County Jane Doe[]

The naked body of a white female was found alongside Route 250 near Littleton, in Wetzel County, West Virginia in February 1983. A pair of senior citizens reported the body, which they originally had thought was a display mannequin. The body had been placed at the area recently, as snow was on the ground but not on the body. Police said that tire tracks and footprints nearby indicated that she was likely transported to this site after death from another location. Their examination concluded she had died about two days previously, and was not a victim of sexual assault.^[366]

Wisconsin[]

"Little Lord Fauntleroy"[]

A young boy, estimated to be between five and seven years old, whose body was found in a pond near the O'Laughlin Stone Company in Waukesha, Wisconsin on March 8, 1921. He may have been in the water for several months, and had been struck on the head. He had blond hair, brown eyes and a missing tooth, and was dressed in a gray sweater, Munsing underwear, black stockings, a blouse and patent leather shoes; the clothing quality suggested he was from an affluent family.^[367][368]

Columbia County Jane Doe[]

External images
3D reconstruction
Label on pants

The skeletal remains of a woman were found in Caledonia, Columbia County, Wisconsin on May 8, 1982, in a wooded area near Highway 78. It is believed that she had died elsewhere and was disposed of at that location. The victim and her murderer may not have been local to the area as her body was found near a highway, indicating that her body may have been transported to the location from elsewhere in the United States.^[369]

The victim, aged 45 to 65 and most likely white, had been killed by blunt-force trauma to the skull. She had likely borne at least one child before her death. There was evidence of arthritis in her neck and back, and this may have affected the way she walked.^[370]

Because of the degree of decomposition of her body, her hair color, eye color, weight, and complexion are unknown. However, some details could be assessed. Her height is estimated to be 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 7 inches tall. Her dental characteristics were fairly unusual, as the partial denture and crowns in her mouth were said to have been out of the ordinary. No clothing was found at the body disposal site except for a multicolored blouse and size 12 brown pants.^[371]

She was buried in Wyocena, Wisconsin, on September 1, 1987, after her case went cold, but her body was exhumed in April 2014. Her remains were transported to Virginia for additional testing, including DNA profiling.^[372] Since the case was reopened and reintroduced to the public eye, tips as to her identity have been submitted to the authorities.^[373] The DNA Doe Project was asked to help assist with identifying her in March 2020.^[374]

Vernon County Jane Doe[]

Vernon County Jane Doe is a woman aged between 50 and 65 years old who had been killed by blunt-force trauma to her head, forceful enough to break her dentures,^[375] approximately 24–48 hours before her body was discovered on the night of May 4, 1984 near the town of Westby.^[376] Her hands had been severed from her arms to prevent identification by fingerprinting.^[377]

"Chimney Crossdresser"[]

External images
Reconstruction, frontal view
Recontruction, right profile view

The skeletal remains of a lightly-built Caucasian male between the ages of 22 and 27^[378] were discovered in the basement of the now-defunct 'Good N Loud' music store on University Avenue in Madison on September 3, 1989, when the owner pulled a vent pipe from the brickwork in an attempt to find the source of a blockage that was causing water seepage.^[378] He was wearing a paisley dress, a black, long-sleeved White Stag blouse, an Iron cross necklace, and a 'shag' sweater,^[379] and had brown hair and a slight overbite.^[380] He was carrying a butter knife, a spare pair of socks and a comb at the time of his death, and was not wearing underwear. His pelvis had been broken, possibly in the process of forcing him into the chimney,^[381] and he may have been there for two months to two years. He may have worked as a page in the state Legislature sometime between 1977 and 1985.^[380]

St. Croix County Jane Doe[]

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3D reconstruction

The skull of a woman aged 35 to 60 years was found in an advanced stage of decomposition on October 21, 2002, near Houlton, St. Croix County, Wisconsin. She had been dead for approximately one year before her skull was found.^[382]

The skull had been placed in a garbage bag, which was disposed of near Anderson Scout Camp Road, where it was later discovered by Boy Scouts. No other parts of her body have been found.^[383]

The woman had dark brown hair, no teeth, and may have been of mixed race. Examination of the skull indicated that she may have had a mental disability. She may also have had "different looking" features, such as wide-set eyes and a flat nose. She may have been living in a group home, as her condition may have been severe.

The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with her identification in February, 2021.

Fond du Lac County Jane Doe[]

A teenage or young adult woman, believed to be between 15 and 21 years old when she died,^[384] who was found frozen in a creek on November 23, 2008.^[385] She had a distinctive overbite, may have been pigeon-toed or knock-kneed, and was not wearing shoes or socks.^[386][387] She had shoulder-length light brown hair, possibly with highlights, and weighed approximately 120 pounds.^[387] Isotope testing indicated she originated from New Mexico or Arizona and had lived in the Midwest for a year or less before her death.^[388]

Wyoming[]

Laramie County John Doe[]

In February 1988, the body of a male white infant was found in a culvert in Cheyenne, Wyoming by a couple walking. Investigators found that the infant had been born alive, and ruled the cause of death as a homicide. The baby boy was found to weigh 6.5 pounds at birth, and had brown hair and blue eyes. Investigators followed all available leads to identify the baby boy and his parents, including canvassing local schools and hospitals for any potential further leads.

In April 2021, Othram Inc. was contacted to help identify the infant.^[389]

"Bitter Creek Betty"[]

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2D profile reconstruction

The nude body of a possibly white female was discovered on March 1, 1992, in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The decedent's body is believed to have been discarded at the location of her discovery approximately one month prior, although due to the cold weather, her body was well preserved. She was between 24 and 32 years of age, and between five feet six and five feet eight inches in height.^[390] She had a scar from a Caesarean section on her abdomen as well as a tattoo of a rose beneath one of her breasts. At the crime scene, a golden-appearing necklace and ring, sweatpants and pink underwear were found.^[391] After images of the victim's tattoo were published throughout the United States, a man came forward claiming that he had performed the tattoo on the woman. This man claimed that she was Hispanic, lacking any discernible accent, and was likely a drifter who hitchhiked frequently around the country.

Later genetic testing would also determine the woman was of possible Hispanic and European descent.^[392] This unidentified decedent is also known as "Rose Doe".

The woman had died from being stabbed through one of the nostrils, having also been strangled and beaten, likely at another location.^[393][394] She had also been sexually assaulted both anally and vaginally prior to her murder.

Multiple missing persons have been ruled out as possible identities of Bitter Creek Betty. Apart from this victim, two other decedents from the area also remain unidentified. DNA from the scene has also matched another murder, indicating she was murdered by a serial killer.^[395]

In May 2020, a long-haul trucker from Iowa, Clark Perry Baldwin, was arrested and charged with her killing, as well as those of two other women in Wyoming and Tennessee.^[396]

Sheridan County Jane Doe[]

A female aged 16 to 21 was discovered murdered on April 13, 1992, in Sheridan County, Wyoming. DNA from the scene was eventually matched to that found at the site of Bitter Creek Betty's body. Unlike the previous victim, the body of this decedent was too decomposed to identify visually and her eye color could not be determined. The cause of her death was ruled as blunt force trauma to the head. She was white, five feet five to five feet six inches tall, 110 to 115 pounds and had brown hair with a wavy texture. It is believed that she was murdered at a different area than where her body was discovered.^[397]

The victim's clothing consisted of a patterned white and light blue top that had ties underneath the bust, with pearl and jewel-like buttons. The female also wore a bra, blue jeans, pink underwear and brass earrings.^[398]

In May 2020, a long-haul trucker from Iowa, Clark Perry Baldwin, was arrested and charged with her killing, as well as those of two other women in Wyoming and Tennessee.^[396]

See also[]

• List of murdered American children

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to unidentified murder victims.

• The Doe Network
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• National Missing and Unidentified Persons System