Decades-Old Cold Case Solved: Missing Iowa Teenager Identified as Lincoln County Jane Doe

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. “Iowa girl missing 1978”
2. “Hunter finds body Iowa girl”

A long-standing cold case has been resolved as detectives identified the body of a missing Iowa teenager found in 1978 as “Lincoln County Jane Doe.” The remains, discovered in the Mississippi River near Elsberry, Missouri, were determined to be those of a White woman aged between 30 and 40, who had drowned. Despite initial failed attempts to identify her, a breakthrough in 2023 led to DNA testing confirming her as Helen Renee Groomes, a 15-year-old from Ottumwa, Iowa. Her brother expressed joy at the closure brought by the identification. The investigation into Groomes’ disappearance and death is ongoing.

The Mystery of Lincoln County Jane Doe Finally Solved

A chilling mystery that has haunted authorities for decades has finally been laid to rest after detectives were able to identify a body found in 1978 as that of a missing Iowa teenager. The case of “Lincoln County Jane Doe” has puzzled investigators for years, but recent advancements in DNA technology have brought closure to a grieving family.

Discovery of Lincoln County Jane Doe

The body of “Lincoln County Jane Doe” was discovered in 1978 in the Mississippi River, near Elsberry, Missouri. The remains, initially believed to be that of a middle-aged woman, were found to be that of a White teenage girl, Helen Renee Groomes, who had disappeared from her hometown of Ottumwa, Iowa in 1977. Despite efforts to identify the body at the time, the case remained unsolved, and the remains were buried under a headstone bearing the name “Lincoln County Jane Doe.”

Breakthrough in the Case

It wasn’t until 2023 that a pivotal breakthrough was made in the case of Lincoln County Jane Doe. Anthropology faculty and students from Southeast Missouri State University conducted analyses on the exhumed remains, which led to the discovery that the body was that of a teenager, not a middle-aged woman as previously thought. DNA samples were sent to Othram, a private DNA laboratory, for analysis, which ultimately led to the identification of Helen Renee Groomes.

Reunion with Family

Kevin Groomes, Helen’s brother, expressed overwhelming joy upon learning that his sister’s remains had been identified. He revealed that the tattoo on her body, which read “Del,” was in reference to her boyfriend at the time. The Groomes family is grateful to the teams at SEMO, Othram, and the Lincoln County Coroner’s Office for their efforts in solving this long-standing mystery.

Ongoing Investigation

While the identity of Lincoln County Jane Doe has been confirmed, the investigation into Helen Groomes’ disappearance and death is still ongoing. Authorities are working tirelessly to uncover the circumstances surrounding her tragic end and bring closure to the family.

The resolution of the Lincoln County Jane Doe case serves as a reminder of the importance of never giving up on solving cold cases. Through advancements in technology and dedicated investigative work, justice can be served even years after the fact.