Ledyard Cold Case Solved: 50-Year-Old Mystery of Linda Sue Childers’ Identity Revealed

LEDYARD, Conn. (WTNH) — A 50-year-old mystery has finally been solved, as Connecticut State Police announced the identification of the remains of a 1970 homicide victim through DNA testing.

The previously anonymous remains have been identified as belonging to Linda Sue Childers from Kentucky, according to the Connecticut State Police and Medical Examiner. Her family confirmed that she had been in the northeast in the years leading up to her disappearance.

“It is gratifying to have helped identify Linda and, most importantly, give her family some answers,” said police in a press release on Wednesday.

The breakthrough in the case came after a witness of a double homicide on December 31, 1974, provided information on the location of a shallow grave in Ledyard where two victims were found on May 30, 1974. Childers’ identity had remained a mystery as she had used an alias.

An investigation revealed that Childers died from a gunshot wound to the head, with her manner of death classified as a homicide.

Despite years of searching, no leads were found through national databases like NamUs and CODIS. However, a breakthrough occurred in July 2022 when samples were sent to Othram for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy. DNA from Childers’ remains was added to a forensic genealogy database, leading to the identification of her sister in January of the following year.

Through Childers’ daughter, who provided a DNA sample, the remains were positively identified. The suspects involved in the double homicide were arrested shortly after the murders and have since passed away.

The resolution of this 50-year-old mystery brings closure to Childers’ family and finally provides answers to a long-standing cold case in Ledyard.