LAS VEGAS — A body discovered in an open field in 1979 near a now-busy intersection on the Las Vegas Strip has been identified as the body of an Ohio teenager who left her home that year in search of her biological father, authorities announced Tuesday.

Newly Identified Victim: Gwenn Marie Story

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the victim has been identified as 19-year-old Gwenn Marie Story. For 44 years, she remained nameless, known only as “Sahara Sue Doe” after the intersection where her body was found.

Advancements in DNA Testing Lead to Breakthrough

Thanks to significant advancements in DNA testing, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was able to identify Gwenn Marie Story as the victim last month. This breakthrough brings hope to countless families of missing persons.

Discovery and Initial Investigation

The body was initially discovered on the night of August 14, 1979, by a man walking through a vacant lot on the northern edge of the Las Vegas Strip. The victim had distinctive wavy hair and her fingernails and toenails were painted red. At the time of discovery, the intersection was known as Sahara Hotel-Casino, but today it is overshadowed by the towering Strat Hotel.

Homicide and Unidentified Victim

An autopsy confirmed that Gwenn Marie Story was the victim of a homicide. However, her identity remained a mystery until collaboration with a private DNA testing lab last September.

Forensic Genealogy Analysis

Othram, a leading forensic genealogy analysis firm, played a crucial role in identifying Gwenn Marie Story. Their scientists successfully created a comprehensive DNA profile for the victim, which led to the discovery of possible relatives willing to provide DNA samples. The samples confirmed that “Sahara Sue Doe” was indeed the missing Ohio teenager.

The Search for a Father Turns Tragic

According to Story’s relatives, she left her home in Cincinnati during the summer of 1979 in search of her biological father in California. Accompanied by two male friends, she embarked on a journey that tragically ended in Las Vegas. Story’s family never heard from her again, and her friends claimed to have left her in Las Vegas when they returned to Cincinnati in August of that year.

Unraveling the Mystery

With Gwenn Marie Story’s identification, law enforcement is now focused on investigating the circumstances surrounding her death near the Las Vegas Strip. The two male friends who left her in Las Vegas have become primary persons of interest in the ongoing investigation.

Advances in Genetic Testing

This breakthrough in Gwenn Marie Story’s case highlights the power of advancements in genetic testing. Such progress has led to the resolution of numerous long-unsolved cases, including missing persons, murder investigations, and sexual assault cases.

Similar Case in Nevada: Florence Charleston

Earlier this year, Othram helped Nevada State Police identify another long-unidentified victim. Florence Charleston, who had been missing since October 1978, was found dead in a remote area of northern Nevada. This case, like Gwenn Marie Story’s, originated from Ohio. The successful identification of these victims brings closure to their respective families and demonstrates the importance of ongoing efforts in forensic genealogy.