UPDATE: Vandy Jane Doe Identified as Yadezia Jones, Investigation Into Her Death Continues

UPDATE

FEBRUARY 2026:

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has announced they’ve identified the decedent known as “Vandy Jane Doe”, revealing her to be 25-year-old Yadezia Jones.

According to a press release, the identification came through a joint effort by Othram, Inc., the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) and DNA Investigative Solutions. Thanks to genetic genealogy, a potential parental match was made in December 2025, with DNA testing confirming Jane Doe’s identity on February 4, 2026.

Yadezia Jones, of Nashville, Tennessee, was born on May 24, 1993. While her parents hadn’t heard from her since 2018, they were under the assumption she was still alive – they had even seen posters of Vandy Jane Doe, but never made the connection, as they didn’t think the artist’s reconstruction resembled their daughter.

Investigators have stated Yadezia’s death is still under investigation. While they’ve said no connection has been made between her and Vanderbilt University, a family member’s post on Facebook claims she received the school-branded clothing from a stay at Vanderbilt Hospital.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department at (615) 862-7720.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

DISCOVERY:

Between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM on September 8, 2018, a couple driving in the 4400 block of the secluded Sulphur Creek Road, just northwest of Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, came across the decomposing body of a female in a ditch. The remains were near a wooded area, signalling a possible attempt to hide the decedent.

AUTOPSY:

Given the advanced state of decomposition, it was determined the decedent had died between five days and two weeks prior to her remains being discovered. While a cause of death couldn’t be determined, the medical examiner and investigators theorized it was likely the result of a homicide.

There were no visible signs of trauma on the remains, nor any indications that a vehicular accident had occurred at the scene.

DETAILS:

Jane Doe is described as an African-American female with possible Hispanic ancestry. Between the ages of 15 and 25, she stood at 5’0″-5’5″ tall and had curly black hair. Given the level of decomposition, her eye colour and weight couldn’t be determined.

When found, the decedent was wearing numerous pieces of Vanderbilt University-branded clothing, including:

• A black or dark-coloured Under Armor-brand quarter-zip sweatshirt, which had the white Vanderbilt “V” within a gold star and “VANDY” in gold stitching on the left breast.
• Black and white leggings featuring a geometric pattern, with the white Vanderbilt “V” inside a gold star.
• A black ZooZatZ– or Hip Rocker-brand running hip band with the Vanderbilt logo.

She was also wearing a green and black leopard-print sports bra, a black undershirt, white socks, and a white or silver metal From the Heart-brand necklace that looked to have a charm missing.

Given the amount of Vanderbilt-related clothing Jane Doe was wearing, investigators reviewed local missing persons’ cases and spoke with officials at the university. While they were unable to identify anyone matching the decedent’s depiction, it’s believed she either had ties to the school or had attended events in the area.

In October 2022, in the hopes of garnering new leads, Jane Doe’s remains were excavated for DNA testing. Genetic genealogy indicated she was of Italian-American and African-American ancestry, with relatives in Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas. Possible family names were also identified: Butler, Brunetti, Moore, Mangarelli/Mengarelli, Avaltroni and Sagrati.

RULE OUTS:

1. Asha Jaquilla Degree, who went missing from Shelby, North Carolina, on February 14, 2000.
2. Quinnah Fawcett, who went missing from Milford, Connecticut, on August 2, 2018.
3. Keiosha Marie Felix, who went missing from Duson, Louisiana, on April 30, 2012.
4. Samaria Greer, who went missing from Memphis, Tennessee, on August 5, 2018.
5. Zanaya Hayes, who went missing from New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 9, 2018.
6. Darian Michelle Hudson, who went missing from Stillwater, Oklahoma, on October 22, 2017.
7. Ange Iradukunda, who went missing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 15, 2017.
8. Jordan-Brittany Antoinette Kuykendall, who went missing from Memphis, Tennessee, on August 21, 2017.
9. Jerrica Lizette Laws, who went missing from Park Forest, Illinois, on August 17, 2015.
10. Moriah Danielle Ludwig, who went missing from Gulfport, Mississippi, on October 31, 2014.
11. Kayla Miller, who went missing from Marietta, Georgia, on April 13, 2015.
12. Arionna Parham, who went missing from Dickinson, Texas, on May 22, 2018.
13. Sophie Elizabeth Reeder, who went missing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 19, 2017.
14. Tara E. Smart, who went missing from Chicago, Illinois, on May 26, 2018. She is presumed located.
15. Lashaya Nae Stine, who went missing from Aurora, Colorado, on July 15, 2016.
16. Mercedes Zaevon T’Oliver, who went missing from Prescott, Arkansas, on December 17, 2016.

CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:

Anyone with information regarding Jane Doe’s identity and/or the person(s) responsible for her murder are asked to contact the Cold Case Unit of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department at (615) 862-7329. Tips can also be called into Crime Stoppers at (615) 742-7463.

Image Credit: Metropolitan Nashville Police Department/NCMEC

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