Woman Whose Remains Were Found in Roane County in 1987 Finally Identified

ROANE COUNTY, TN – After more than three decades, the unidentified remains of a woman discovered in 1987 in Roane County, Tennessee, have been positively identified. Thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between the Roane County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative, the woman has finally been named.

The tragic discovery took place on August 29, 1987, when a passer-by stumbled upon a body near a garbage dumpster in the 2600 block of Highway 58 in Kingston, Roane County. Forensic anthropologists determined that the remains belonged to a white female, estimating her age to be between 35 and 50 years old. The victim had been burned postmortem and discarded beside the dumpster. Despite the efforts of investigators from the Roane County Sheriff’s Office, who utilized the available technology in 1987, the victim’s identity remained a mystery. She was classified as a Jane Doe.

Over the years, numerous attempts were made to identify the Roane County Jane Doe. In April 2009, the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Center submitted a sample of her remains to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, hoping for a breakthrough. A DNA profile was developed and entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, but unfortunately, no significant developments occurred.

In April of this year, as part of the Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative, TBI agents joined forces with the Roane County Sheriff’s Office once again. A sample of the woman’s remains was sent to Othram Inc., a renowned private laboratory based in Texas, for forensic genetic genealogical (FGG) DNA testing. Using advanced techniques, scientists at Othram provided valuable information about possible relatives connected to the woman. Last month, the breakthrough came when agents made contact with one of those family members and obtained a familial DNA standard. This standard was then compared to the DNA of the unidentified woman, leading to a positive identification.

The woman has now been identified as Betty Lou Wisley, originally from Clinton, Missouri, with a date of birth on December 30, 1935. It has further been determined that Wisley was living in or near the Knox County area at the time of her death.

With the identification finally in place, investigators from the Roane County Sheriff’s Office and TBI special agents are now seeking the public’s assistance in piecing together the events leading up to Betty Lou Wisley’s death. They are specifically interested in any information regarding individuals she may have been with before her untimely demise. If you have any relevant details, please contact the Roane County Sheriff’s Office at 865-717-4722 or email tips to .

TBI’s Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative is a groundbreaking program aimed at solving long-standing unidentified human remains cases. By utilizing advanced DNA testing techniques and forensic genealogy, the initiative has successfully provided closure to families and justice for the victims. Through partnerships with law enforcement agencies and private labs, the initiative continues to make significant strides in bringing unidentified individuals back their names.

If you want to learn more about the TBI’s Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative, click here.