1. Woman’s remains found in ditch near Illinois highway
2. Woman’s remains discovered near Illinois highway.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
After nearly five decades, the mystery surrounding the remains of a young Black woman discovered near Seneca, Illinois has finally been solved. The Grundy County Coroner’s Office announced on Thursday that the remains belong to JoAnn “Vickie” Smith, a woman from Ohio who had been missing for over 47 years.
Originally known as Jane Seneca Doe, Smith’s body was found in a ditch alongside US Highway 6 with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Despite extensive efforts, her identity remained unknown for years until the DNA Doe Project stepped in to assist with the case.
The DNA Doe Project, a team of expert genetic genealogists, worked tirelessly to construct a family tree using DNA testing on Smith’s remains. This process, which spanned over four years, was particularly challenging due to the underrepresentation of African-Americans in public databases.
Smith, being an adopted woman, presented an additional obstacle as most of her birth family members were unaware of her existence. However, the DNA Doe Project eventually traced a branch of her family tree leading to the discovery of her birth mother and siblings. With this information, investigators were able to locate Smith’s original birth certificate and adoption records.
“It is an honor for all of us to say her name – Vickie Smith – and to know she’s on her way home,” said Pam Lauritzen, a spokeswoman for the DNA Doe Project.
The identification of JoAnn “Vickie” Smith serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing efforts to solve cold cases and bring closure to families. The DNA Doe Project’s dedication to unraveling the mystery surrounding Smith’s remains highlights the power of forensic science and genealogy in solving long-standing mysteries.
As Smith’s story comes to light, it is a somber reminder of the unresolved cases that still exist in the realm of missing persons and unidentified remains. The closure brought to Smith’s family after decades of uncertainty serves as a beacon of hope for other families seeking answers.
The journey to identify JoAnn “Vickie” Smith may have been long and arduous, but it ultimately brought closure and peace to those who loved her. Her memory will now be preserved, and her story serves as a testament to the perseverance of those who seek justice for the forgotten.
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“woman’s remains found in ditch near Illinois highway”.
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