JoAnn Smith : “JoAnn ‘Vickie’ Smith Remains Found Near Seneca After 47 Years”

By | June 28, 2024

1. JoAnn Smith remains
2. Vickie Smith Cincinnati Ohio.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

After nearly five decades, the mystery surrounding the remains of a young Black woman found near Seneca, Illinois has finally been solved. Through the use of advanced DNA and forensics, authorities have positively identified the remains as those of JoAnn “Vickie” Smith, a woman originally from Ohio.

During a press conference, Smith’s brother, Ronnie Smith, expressed the family’s relief at finally knowing what happened to the 20-year-old who disappeared from her Cincinnati home many years ago. Ronnie shared that it was unusual for anyone in their household to stay out late, making Vickie’s disappearance even more alarming.

The case dates back to 1976 when a body was discovered near a cornfield alongside US Highway 6 with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Despite efforts by investigators at the time, the case went cold for decades until the Grundy County Coroner’s Office reopened the investigation in late 2017. Eventually, Smith’s body was exhumed from an unmarked grave, leading to a breakthrough in the case.

DNA testing initially yielded no results in identifying the remains, but a dedicated team of genetic genealogists from the DNA Doe Project worked tirelessly to build a family tree and narrow down the search. The process took over four years before Vickie Smith’s identity was finally confirmed.

Margaret Press, the founder of the DNA Doe Project, expressed her satisfaction in finally being able to put a name to the unidentified remains. She highlighted the challenges faced in identifying African-American individuals due to underrepresentation in public databases.

As an adopted woman, Vickie’s existence was unknown to most of her birth family, making the identification process even more complex. However, through diligent research, the DNA Doe Project team managed to trace her lineage and uncover crucial documents, including her original birth certificate and adoption records.

Now that Vickie Smith has been identified, the focus shifts to finding answers about her untimely demise. The family has expressed gratitude towards Deputy Chief Coroner Brandon Johnson and Coroner John Callahan for their unwavering dedication to solving the case and bringing closure to the family.

A celebration of life service is planned for Vickie in Cincinnati, and a GoFundMe account has been set up to assist with the transportation and burial of her remains. The long-awaited journey home for JoAnn “Vickie” Smith is finally coming to a close, bringing some peace to her family after decades of uncertainty.

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1. JoAnn Vickie Smith remains found near Seneca Illinois
2. JoAnn Vickie Smith Cincinnati Ohio remains discovered after 47 years.

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