DISCOVERY:
On February 4, 1990, two hunters were walking through a wooded and undeveloped area near the Pathmark Supermarket and Locust Grove housing development in Deptford Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, when they came across partial skeletal remains. The spot, which could only be accessed by four-wheel-drive vehicles, was littered with discarded car parts and located northeast of the intersection at Caulfield Avenue and Clements Bridge Road.
While there was evidence a fire had been lit at the scene at some point, the remains showed no sign of having been burnt.
AUTOPSY:
The remains were subsequently brought to the local medical examiner’s office for examination. As aforementioned, they were skeletal, with some mummified skin present.
Given the level of decomposition, it was determined the decedent had died at least a year prior, with it believed she could have been in the area since the winter of 1988. It was also concluded she’d been murdered via ligature strangulation.
DETAILS:
Jane Doe is described as a White female between the age of 16 and 20. She stood anywhere from 5’5″ and 5’8″ and weighed between 120-145 pounds. While her eye colour couldn’t be determined, investigators confirmed her hair was medium-to-dark brown in tone.
The decedent had a deviated septum to the right, along with a crooked philtrum, which would have been noticeable. She had misaligned teeth and an overbite, and had visited a dentist at least once in her life, as some of her teeth had silver fillings.
Tutlex-brand sweatpants, size medium, were found tied around Jane Doe’s neck. Within them were a single mid-length sock, nylon pantyhose and one knee-high stocking. Also found on the remains were a 16″ imitation pearl beaded necklace, a single yellow-coloured ball-stud earring and 14-carat horseshoe-shaped earrings with a spiral design.
Investigators are working with the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification to use genealogical testing to try and identify the decedent. Given they were unable to match her to any local missing persons, it’s believed she may have been a runaway. This theory is further supported by the proximity of the New Jersey Turnpike to the site where her body was found.
RULE OUTS:
- Elaine M. Allenbach, who went missing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on March 15, 1986.
- Aundria Michelle Bowman, who went missing from Hamilton, Michigan, on March 11, 1989. In January 2020, her adoptive father confessed to her murder, and her remains were subsequently discovered on his property.
- Rosemary K. Calandriello, who went missing from Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, on August 25, 1969.
- Brenda Cecilia Crowley, who went missing from Staten Island, New York, on February 1, 1980.
- Carol Elaine Donn, who went missing from West Palm Beach, Florida, on October 20, 1980.
- Kathleen Durst, who went missing from Manhattan, New York, on January 31, 1982.
- Angelia Spaulding Hilbert, who went missing from Louisville, Kentucky, on June 3, 1989.
- Tracy Marie Kroh, who went missing from Millersburg, Pennsylvania, on August 5, 1989.
- Alicia Bernice Markovich, who went missing from Blairsville, Pennsylvania, on April 26, 1987.
- Amber Carrie Potts, who went missing from Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, on November 26, 1988.
- Leichia M. Reilly, who went missing from West Seneca, New York, on January 31, 1985.
- Tiffany Sessions, who went missing from Gainesville, Florida, on February 9, 1989.
- Valerie Ann Smith, who went missing from Long Island, New York, on March 4, 1981. In October 2021, it was announced she’d been found deceased 10 weeks after her disappearance and listed as a Jane Doe.
- Patricia Jane Wagner, who went missing from Jersey City, New Jersey, on October 20, 1972.
- Karen Louise Wilson, who went missing from Albany, New York, on March 27, 1985.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jane Doe’s DNA and dentals are available for comparison.
Anyone with information regarding the decedent’s identity and/or the circumstances surrounding her murder is asked to contact the Gloucester County Prosecutor at either (856) 384-5608 or (856) 384-5500. Tips can also be called into the Deptford Police Department at (856) 845-2220 or New Jersey State Police at +1 (800) 709-7090.
Image Credit: NCMEC/NamUs
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