DISCOVERY:
At 11:45am on February 25, 1990, hikers discovered partial skeletal remains scattered across the area of Hilltop Road on Shoshone Mountain in rural Lander County, Nevada. Among the bones found include a fragmented skull and mandible, ankle bones, and vertebrae. The body’s torso was never recovered.
The area where the remains were found had once been used for mining.
AUTOPSY:
An autopsy conducted on the remains estimated the deceased had been dead between six and 12 months. However, later examination by the LSU Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services (FACES) Laboratory determined they could have been dead for up to two years prior to being found.
The cause of death was determined to be homicide, but the medical examiner wasn’t able to conclude how the individual had been murdered. The skull showed signs of blunt force trauma to the head, and there was evidence of dismemberment. However, it could not be determined if these injuries had occurred ante- or post-mortem.
DETAILS:
While initially believed to be a male, the deceased was later concluded to be a Native American female between the ages of 25 and 40. She likely stood between 5’2″ and 5’8″ and had long, dark hair. Due to the state of the remains, her weight and eye colour could not be determined.
A healed injury was noted on her right femur, which may have affected the way she walked.
Found with the remains was a hand-crafted sterling silver ring with triangular-shaped coral and turquoise stones in an alternating pattern, size 7.5-to-8.
RULE OUTS:
1) Tina Marie Finley, who went missing from Benewah County, Idaho on March 7, 1988.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jane Doe’s dentals and DNA are available for comparison.
Those with information regarding the case are asked to contact the Lander County Sheriff’s Office at 775-635-1100 ex. 1421 or the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office at 775-785-6114. Tips can also be called into the LSU Faces Laboratory at either 225-578-4761, 225-578-4775 or 225-578-3906.
Image Credit: LSU Faces Laboratory
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