Mary Alice Pultz : 1985 Florida Homicide Victim Identified as Maryland Woman

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Florida shallow grave homicide
2. 1985 Maryland woman murder case

The skeletal remains of a homicide victim found in Florida in 1985 have been identified as a woman from Maryland who last communicated with her family over a decade prior. The remains, discovered in a shallow grave on Crescent Beach, St. Johns County, were linked to Mary Alice Pultz through forensic genealogy. While the case remained cold for years, renewed efforts and DNA testing led to the breakthrough. Pultz, who had been missing since 1968, was believed to have been killed by her boyfriend in Florida or Georgia. The investigation is ongoing, offering closure to her surviving sibling after years of uncertainty.

The Discovery of the Homicide Victim’s Remains

The skeletal remains of a homicide victim found in Florida in 1985 have finally been identified as a woman from Maryland who had been missing for over a decade. The remains were discovered in a shallow grave on Crescent Beach in St. Johns County, Florida, in April 1985. The victim was a White woman estimated to be between 30 and 50 years old at the time of her death. Despite efforts to solve the case over the years, it remained cold until recent breakthroughs.

Breakthrough in the Case

In 2011 and 2012, renewed efforts in the investigation led to the creation of a forensic composite of the woman’s appearance by the University of South Florida. Additionally, DNA testing was conducted on the remains, and the information was uploaded into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. However, it wasn’t until 2022 that significant progress was made in identifying the victim.

Utilizing Forensic Genetic Genealogy

Investigators from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office attended a class on forensic genetic genealogy, a method that uses DNA analysis and genealogy records to identify individuals. Evidence from the remains was submitted to Othram, a private lab, where scientists developed a DNA profile and searched genealogical records for investigative leads. This led to the identification of the victim as Mary Alice Pultz from Maryland.

Uncovering Mary Alice Pultz’s Story

Mary Alice Pultz had lost contact with her family around 1968, leaving them in the dark about her whereabouts for years. Rumors circulated that Pultz had been killed by her boyfriend in either Florida or Georgia, sparking an ongoing investigation into her murder. Pultz’s family, particularly her younger sister, expressed relief at finally knowing what happened to her.

Continued Investigation and Closure

The identification of Mary Alice Pultz has provided closure to her family, who had feared they would never learn the truth about her disappearance. The ongoing investigation into her murder aims to bring justice for Pultz and her loved ones. The discovery and identification of her remains serve as a reminder of the importance of never giving up on cold cases and seeking closure for families of missing persons.