*UPDATE: The Gwinnett County Police Department has uncovered the identity of the Gwinnett County Jane Doe: Jessica Ashley Manchini.*
DISCOVERY:
On July 26, 2016, a construction worker with the Department of Transportation found a suitcase near a construction site he was working on, about 80 yards into the woods. The area, located within Georgia’s Gwinnett County, was near I-985 mile marker 4.8. Within the suitcase, he discovered the skeletal remains of an unidentified female.
When the responding officer arrived at the scene, it was concluded the suitcase had been deliberately placed where it was found, about 100 feet off the northbound lanes of I-985, not thrown from a moving vehicle. It was also determined it had been in the area for a while.
AUTOPSY:
The remains were brought back to the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office, where it was learnt Jane Doe’s death had occurred about four to six month prior, most likely in February 2016. Given the state of the remains, a cause of death couldn’t be determined. However, there were no obvious signs of trauma found on the bones.
Currently, police are working on the theory that Jane Doe’s death was the result of a possible homicide.
DETAILS:
Jane Doe is described as white, but could have possibly been of Asian or East Indian descent, and is believed to have been between 20 and 30 years old. While her weight in unknown, she is said to have stood between 5’1″ and 5’5″.
Given the state of her remains, Jane Doe’s hair and eye colour are currently unknown. When found, she was wearing a black Miley Cyrus hoodie, Victoria Secret pants with the phrase “Love Pink” on them, 2014 women’s Nike Air Max Cage shoes and mismatched white socks. An examination of her body revealed she had healed injuries to her left ribs, and there was some spinal fusion and slight scoliosis, which she might not have been aware of.
The suitcase in which Jane Doe’s remains were hidden is described as being full-sized and of the Quest brand.
RULE OUTS:
1) Katelin Akens, who went missing from Springfield, Virginia on December 5, 2015.
2) Karen Bosta, who went missing from Edenton, North Carolina on May 31, 2015.
3) Marina Boelter, who went missing from Bloomfield, Indiana on December 31, 2014.
4) Morgan Bauer, who went missing from Atlanta, Georgia on February 27, 2016.
5) Heather Elvis, who went missing from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on December 18, 2013.
6) Isabel Palacios, who went missing from Wilson, North Carolina on July 31, 2015.
7) Larissa Sam, who went missing from Indianapolis, Indiana on July 21, 2015.
8) Kourtne Stouffer, who went missing from Palmyra, Pennsylvania on July 28, 2012.
9) Rose Timperley, who went missing from Okmulgee, Oklahoma on February 2, 2016.
10) Madelin Tomlin, who went missing from Hope, Arkansas on May 20, 2015.
11) Tiffany Whitton, who went missing from Marietta, Georgia on September 13, 2013.
12) Brittney Wood, who went missing from Mobile, Alabama on May 30, 2012.
13) Faustina Yanez, who went missing from Smyrna, Georgia on March 25, 2011.
14) Mahfuza Rahman, who went missing from The Bronx, New York on December 8, 2015.
15) Pah Pow, who went missing from Aberdeen, South Dakota on April 17, 2016.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jane Doe’s dental records are available and DNA samples have been processed. There is currently a $2,000 reward available in relation to the case.
Those with information regarding the identity of Jane Doe are being asked to call the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner at 770-995-5568 or the Gwinnett County Police Department at 770-513-5300. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.
Image Credit: Stephen Missal
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