JoAnn “Vicky” Smith : “Groundbreaking Discovery: Black Woman Identified After 50 Years”

By | June 28, 2024

1. Black woman identified after nearly 50 years
2. Grundy County Jane Doe identified.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

1976 cold case victim 'Seneca Jane Doe'/'Grundy County Jane Doe' identified

In a significant breakthrough, the identity of a woman who was found murdered almost five decades ago in Illinois has finally been revealed as that of a Cincinnati woman. JoAnn “Vicky” Smith, a 20-year-old resident of Lincoln Heights, went missing from her home in Cincinnati in 1976. The case remained unsolved for years until the coroner’s office in Grundy County, Illinois, reopened it six years ago.

The body of JoAnn Smith was discovered in a ditch on a farm in Grundy County, located approximately 90 minutes outside Chicago, with a garbage bag and her sweater wrapped around her head. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head. Following her tragic death, JoAnn was buried in an unmarked grave on Thanksgiving Day in 1976, and her case remained unresolved for four decades.

After 47 years, advancements in DNA technology played a crucial role in identifying the victim as JoAnn Smith. This breakthrough has brought some closure to the Smith family, who have been longing for answers for years. JoAnn’s brother, Ronnie, and sister, Phyllis, were visibly emotional during a press conference where the identification was announced.

While the identification of JoAnn Smith marks a significant milestone for her family, many questions still remain unanswered, including the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the identity of her killer. Despite the lingering uncertainties, the family is grateful to have their sister finally identified and to be able to lay her to rest.

Ronnie Smith, who was just 8 years old when his sister went missing, expressed his hope that justice will eventually be served for JoAnn. He shared that it was his mother’s dying wish to find her daughter. JoAnn, a graduate of Princeton High School who was pursuing studies at Southern Ohio College at the time of her disappearance, will be remembered by her family and community.

Grundy County Coroner John Callahan extended his condolences to the Smith family and acknowledged their unwavering support throughout the identification process. He emphasised the importance of providing closure to the family and ensuring that JoAnn is laid to rest with dignity.

JoAnn Smith will be laid to rest next to her parents in South Carolina, where they resided after leaving Cincinnati. Prior to her final resting place, a ceremony of life will be held in Cincinnati to honour JoAnn’s memory.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding JoAnn Smith’s death are ongoing, with authorities determined to bring her killer to justice. Ronnie Smith expressed his gratitude for the support his family has received and his optimism for a resolution in the case.

  • JoAnn Smith was 20 years old at the time of her disappearance
  • She attended Princeton High School, Scarlet Oaks, and Southern Ohio College
  • She worked at a Mariott establishment
  • She was a member of the choir at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church
  • Due to being adopted, DNA tracing contributed to the delay in her identification after the case was reopened in 2017

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– Black woman identified after nearly 50 years
– Grundy County Jane Doe identified after nearly 50 years.

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