DISCOVERY:
On February 18, 1984, partial human remains were discovered in the 5400 block of south 331st Street in Federal Way, Washington. Nearly two years later, on January 2, 1986, additional remains were found in a ravine across from Mountain View Cemetery, just outside of Auburn, Washington.
It was determined both sets of remains belonged to the same individual. It’s theorized the deceased was dumped in Federal Way before being moved to Auburn.
The location in Auburn also produced two additional sets of remains, which were determined to belong to Kimi Kai Pitsor and Sandra Denise Major. Both had been victims of the Green River Killer.
AUTOPSY:
Jane Doe’s remains were brought to the coroner’s office for examination, where it was learnt she’d died one to three years prior to being found. While her cause of death was deemed a homicide, the exact cause has not been released.
DETAILS:
A majority of the details known about Jane Doe are the result of recent DNA phenotyping conducted by Parabon NanoLabs.
The deceased is described as a white female between the ages of 14 and 19. She stood between 5’4″ and 5’8″ tall and weighed approximately 120 to 145. While her hair and eye colour are unknown, DNA phenotyping suggests she was a natural blonde with blue or green eyes. Some of her teeth had fillings.
Chemical isotope testing by the Smithsonian shows she may have lived in Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, Wyoming or Montana before her death. Given the relatively northern location of these states, it’s also theorized she could be from southern Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador.
Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, admitted in 2003 to killing Jane Doe, a crime for which he was sentenced to life in prison at the Washington State Penitentiary. Ridgway operated between 1982 and 2001, and has been convicted in the murders of 49 women. He has claimed responsibility for 71. The majority of his victims were sex workers or women in vulnerable situations. He would often strangle them before dumping their bodies in forested areas across King County, after which he would visit them to have sexual intercourse.
Ridgway has been unable to provide any details that could allude to Jane Doe’s identity, other than she was killed in the spring or summer of 1983. She is one of only two victims to remain unidentified.
RULE OUTS:
1) Andria Ann Bailey, who went missing from Spanaway, Washington between 1978 and 1979.
2) Anna Marie Anderson, who went missing from Cypress, California on December 5, 1983.
3) Ashley Standish Higgins, who went missing from Costa Mesa, California on November 6, 1982.
4) Barbara Louise Cotton, who went missing from Williston, North Dakota on April 11, 1981.
5) Carol Elaine Donn, who went missing from West Palm Beach, Florida on October 20, 1980.
6) Janel Irene Peters, who went missing from Valinda, California on January 29, 1981.
7) Joan Leigh Hall, who went missing from Warrenton, Oregon on September 30, 1983.
8) Kasee Ann Lee, who went missing from Seattle, Washington on August 28, 1982.
9) Keli Kay McGinness, who went missing from Seattle, Washington on June 28, 1983.
10) Kristi Lynn Vorak, who went missing from Tacoma, Washington on October 31, 1982.
11) Linda Louise Jackson, who went missing from Seattle, Washington on May 3, 1983.
12) Lisa Dickinson, who went missing from Walnut Creek, California on September 5, 1976.
13) Mary Jo Lee Long, who went missing from Gardena, California on February 22, 1981.
14) Patricia Ann LeBlanc, who went missing from Seattle, Washington on August 12, 1983.
15) Pollyanne Jean Carter, who went missing from Graham, Washington on October 29, 1984.
16) Rose Lena Cole, who went missing from Oakland, California on September 1, 1972.
17) Susan Diane Wolff Cappel, who went missing from Newcomerstown, Ohio on March 16, 1982.
18) Wendy Lynn Huggy, who went missing from Clearwater, Florida on April 7, 1982.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jane Doe’s DNA and dentals are available for comparison.
Those with information regarding the identity of Jane Doe are asked to contact the King County Sheriff’s Office at 216-296-4155, 206-296-3311 or 206-263-2090. Tips can also be called into the King County Coroner’s Office at 206-731-3232.
Image Credit: NCMEC
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