Betty Lou Wisley: Cold Case Victim Identified after 34 Years in Roane County, Tennessee

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Roane County, Tenn. – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has made a significant breakthrough in a cold case dating back to 1987. After years of relentless efforts, the TBI has finally identified the remains of a woman whose burned body was found in Roane County. The woman, originally known as Jane Doe, has now been identified as Betty Lou Wisley, born on December 20, 1935, and originally from Clinton, Mississippi. At the time of her death, she was living in Knox County.

The discovery of Wisley’s remains in 1987 raised many questions, but her identity remained a mystery for decades. Forensic anthropologists determined that the body belonged to a white female between the ages of 35 and 50, and that she had been burned before being discarded near a dumpster in the 2600 block of Highway 58 in Kingston.

Despite various attempts over the years, including DNA profiling by the FBI in 2009, no breakthroughs were made in identifying Wisley. However, as part of an ongoing initiative to solve cold cases, the TBI and the Roane County Sheriff’s Office sought help from Othram Inc., a private laboratory specializing in genetic testing. In April, scientists at Othram used forensic genetic genealogical (FGG) DNA testing to identify Betty Lou Wisley by matching her DNA to that of one of her relatives.

Now that her identity has been revealed, investigators from the TBI and RCSO are shifting their focus to unraveling the circumstances surrounding Wisley’s death. They are urging the public to come forward with any information about Wisley or the events leading up to her death. Tips can be sent to awolff@roanesheriff.org or called in at 865-717-4722.

This case highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, forensic experts, and private labs in using advanced technologies to solve cold cases and provide closure to families. The TBI’s Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative aims to continue identifying and solving cold cases using DNA testing..