“19-Year-Old Gwenn Marie Story Identified as Victim Found Dead in Las Vegas After 44 Years: Cold Case Solved”

Accident – death – Obituary News : LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced on Tuesday that they have finally identified the body of a Cincinnati teenager who was found dead in the Las Vegas desert over 44 years ago. The cold case investigators were able to determine that the victim, known as “Sahara Sue Doe,” was actually Gwenn Marie Story. Her lifeless body was discovered near the former El Rancho Vegas Hotel and Casino on August 14, 1979.

According to the police, a man stumbled upon Story’s body while walking through an open field at the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard. The Clark County Coroner’s Office ruled her death as a homicide, but authorities were unable to identify her at the time. However, after more than four decades, the dedicated cold case investigators were able to provide closure to this long-standing mystery.

In September 2022, the investigators made a breakthrough in the case. They managed to contact possible family members of Gwenn Marie Story and obtained DNA samples from them. By utilizing advanced forensic genetic genealogy techniques, which involve DNA processing and comparison, they were able to positively identify Story.

At the time of her tragic death, Gwenn Marie Story was only 19 years old. Police reports indicate that she had left her home in the summer of 1979 with the goal of finding her biological father in California. Accompanying her on this journey were two male friends, who later informed her family that they had left her in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, this would be the last time Story’s family would ever hear from her.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is urging anyone with information about Gwenn Marie Story or the two men she traveled with to come forward. They can contact LVMPD’s cold case section by phone at 702-828-3521 or via email at homicide@lvmpd.com. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.

In an effort to bring justice to Gwenn Marie Story and her grieving family, the investigators are hopeful that new leads will emerge from the public. The identification of the victim after all these years serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s cold case team.

By uncovering the truth behind this cold case, the investigators have not only provided closure to Gwenn Marie Story’s family but have also demonstrated their commitment to solving unsolved crimes. The utilization of advanced DNA technology showcases the remarkable progress made in forensic investigations over the past few decades.

The identification of Gwenn Marie Story’s body is a significant milestone in this long-standing mystery, and it will undoubtedly bring some measure of peace to her loved ones. As the investigation continues, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department remains dedicated to uncovering the full truth behind her tragic death..