Upperco Jane Doe (March 1996)

DISCOVERY:

On March 5, 1996, tree trimmers were working in the 17225 block of Falls Road, south of Gunpowder Road, in Precinct 3, Franklin. The spot, in the unincorporated community of Upperco, in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland, was a particularly busy road at the time.

While conducting their work, the tree trimmers came across a human skull and contacted the local authorities, who came to the scene to investigate. Before long, they’d found even more skeletal remains.

AUTOPSY:

Given the state of the remains, little could be gleamed regarding the decedent’s cause of death. There were no signs of trauma on the bones and no evidence of foul play. Despite this, the circumstances surrounding where the body was found led investigators to deem the case a homicide.

It’s estimated that the decedent – a female – had been dead at least five years prior to being found, with a strong possibility that she’d been deceased for longer.

DETAILS:

Jane Doe is described as an African-American female between the ages of 17 and 19. Given the state of the remains, the medical examiner couldn’t determine her hair or eye colour, nor her weight. The autopsy report, however, did list that she likely stood between 5’1″ and 5’4″.

A look at the decedent’s dentals showed her teeth were in relatively good condition.

Reports state she had sacralization of her fifth lumbar vertebra, which would have caused her discomfort. As well, her skull showed signs of premature obliteration of the sagittal sinus, as well as a small anomaly on the right side, which would have been noticeable. The cause could have been either hereditary or the result of surgery, trauma or an accident.

When found, Jane Doe was wearing the following:

• Light-coloured cotton blend blouse with slightly-darker pinstripes that had four lines per bar. It had a pocket, collar, cuffs and pearl buttons.
• Imitation leather bomber-type jacket with a gathered waist band and a zippered front.
• Brown denim-type FLIPPO TOTTI-brand pants, size 6/7, that had ankle zippers and were paired with a web-style belt.
• White and tan high-top MIA-brand boots, size 6B. The laces were missing, and Velcro strap ran across the ankle on each.

At the scene were found two clothing labels – one that read “IT’S A LABEL, MADE IN THE U.S.A.” and another with “SIZE 9/10” printed on it. The latter is believed to have come from the decedent’s clothes, either her blouse or jacket. Two yellow metal hoop earrings were also found near the remains. They each had a small gold ball at the bottom, and it’s unknown if they belonged to her.

RULE OUTS:

1. Toni Danieelle Clark, who went missing from Oakland, California on March 16, 1990.
2. Melissa Ann Collins, who went missing from Akron, Ohio on August 8, 1991.
3. Tiffany Michele Goines, who went missing from Frederick, Maryland on December 5, 1987.
4. Michelle Louise Harley, who went missing from Broward County, Florida on July 22, 1989.
5. Melody Gwen McKoy, who went missing from Baltimore, Maryland on December 1, 1991.
6. Virginia Anne Rambus, who went missing from Seattle, Washington on May 20, 1985.
7. Taranika Nichelle Raymond, who went missing from New Orleans, Louisiana on November 13, 1995.

CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jane Doe’s DNA and dentals are available for comparison.

Anyone with information regarding the case or the decedent’s identity is asked to contact the Baltimore County Police Department’s Homicide and Missing Persons Unit at (410) 887-3943. Tips can also be called into the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner at (410) 333-3250 or submitted anonymously via Metro Crime Stoppers at +1 (866) 756-2587.

Image Credit: NCMEC

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