Burned Body Found in Roane County Cold Case Finally Identified as Betty Lou Wisley

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Efforts Lead to Breakthrough in Decades-Old Case

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Identification of Jane Doe

ROANE COUNTY, Tenn. – After decades of relentless efforts by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), a breakthrough has been made in a cold case involving the discovery of a burned body in Roane County in 1987. The woman, initially known only as Jane Doe, has now been identified as Betty Lou Wisley. Born on December 20, 1935, in Clinton, Mississippi, Wisley was living in Knox County at the time of her death.

The Gruesome Discovery

On August 29, 1987, a passerby made a horrifying discovery beside a dumpster in the 2600 block of Highway 58 in Kingston. Forensic anthropologists later determined that the body belonged to a woman aged between 35 and 50, who had been burned before being callously discarded. The case remained a mystery for decades, with unanswered questions surrounding the victim’s identity and the circumstances of her death.

Breakthrough in DNA Testing

Various attempts, including DNA profiling by the FBI in 2009, failed to yield any significant breakthroughs in the case. However, as part of the ongoing initiative to solve cold cases, the TBI and the Roane County Sheriff’s Office sought the assistance of Othram Inc., a private laboratory specializing in genetic testing. In April, scientists at Othram successfully used forensic genetic genealogical (FGG) DNA testing to identify Wisley by matching her DNA to that of one of her relatives.

Unraveling the Circumstances

Now that Wisley’s identity has been established, investigators from the TBI and the sheriff’s office are shifting their focus to unraveling the circumstances surrounding her death. This new development brings hope of finally bringing closure to Wisley’s family and justice for the victim.

Appeal for Information

Authorities are urging anyone with information about Wisley or the events leading up to her death to come forward. Tips can be sent via email to awolff@roanesheriff.org or called in to the Roane County Sheriff’s Office at 865-717-4722. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial in solving this cold case.

Collaboration and Advanced Technologies

The successful identification of Betty Lou Wisley emphasizes the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies, forensic experts, and private laboratories. By leveraging advanced technologies and DNA analysis, cold cases like this can be solved, providing answers to families who have long sought closure. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative is at the forefront of these efforts, and you can read more about it here.