Jane Doe Victim in 38-Year-Old Cold Case Finally Identified in Washtenaw County

Officials in Washtenaw County, Michigan have made significant progress in solving a long-standing cold case murder after positively identifying the remains of a Jane Doe victim. The unidentified remains were discovered in 1985 in the vicinity of MacArthur Blvd. and Stamford Road in Superior Township. However, it wasn’t until 2023 that the body was officially identified as Cheryl Coates.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office is now seeking the public’s assistance in providing additional details about the incident. The murder is believed to have taken place sometime between January 1984 and January 1985, and authorities hope that someone may have crucial information that can help solve the case.

According to deputies, Cheryl Coates was known to frequent or reside in the Southfield and/or Detroit area, making it possible that someone from these communities may have knowledge about her death. The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation.

“WCSO is seeking any information anyone may have regarding the circumstances of her death,” stated the sheriff’s office. The case has remained unsolved for nearly four decades, and any new leads could be crucial in bringing closure to the victim’s family and justice to the perpetrator.

If you have any information related to this cold case, please reach out to Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Detective Roberts (robertsb@washtenaw.org) or contact the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 734-973-7711. Your information could be vital in solving this decades-old mystery and providing closure to the victim’s loved ones.