A Hernando County Jane Doe, murdered in 1972 may have a chance to tell her story. Approximately 3 days after her death, a teenage boy discovered her body. Her remains had already started to decompose, making her unrecognizable. She was buried by the county following an autopsy. Then in June 2015, her body was exhumed for DNA testing, anthropological assessments, and facial reconstruction. Three dimensional printing was used to create a replica of her skull which was then used for facial reconstruction, a relatively new process forged by forensic artist Joe Mullins.
The replica skull was created from scans of the original at USF’s vision center. Using the recreated skull, a forensics team at USF’s Florida Institute for Forensic Anthropology and Applied Science (IFAAS) created a facial reconstruction of the woman. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as well as the Florida Sheriff’s Association collaborated in this process. The team worked on facial reconstructions for a total of 7 adults and 2 juveniles using this method.
The team included 12 forensic artists who used the bone structure of the replicas to model facial features. Forensic artist Joe Mullins oversaw the process. He has been reconstructing skulls for the past 15 years for use in facial reconstruction, an arduous task until now with the use of 3D printing. It is expected that 3D printing will lead to more accurate facial reconstructions as well. The facial reconstruction of the 9 individuals, a process that usually takes months, was completed in a week by the forensics team working intensively.
IFAAS Director Dr. Erin Kimmerle led the skeletal analyses and chemical isotope testing for further identification purposes.
The details of the Hernando County Jane Doe case is as follows according to the case synopsis:
“On July 19, 1972, a teenage boy was passing along a wooded area on High Corner Road in Brooksville, Florida, where he found human remains. At the time of discovery the medical examiner’s office determined the remains were from an unknown white female. Upon further analysis of the remains, she was likely aged between 25-40 years. She was 5 ft. 1-4 inches in height and weighed approximately 140 pounds. Her hair was brown in color, and 4-6 inches in length. According to the medical examiner’s office, the cause of death was strangulation. She had been in the woods 3-4 days when found. The victim was found wearing a white bra and white, bikini-style underwear.
Following the autopsy, this Jane Doe was buried by the county. She remained there until June 2015, at which time the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the USF Forensic Anthropology Laboratory and District 5 Medical Examiner’s Office exhumed her remains for DNA testing, anthropological assessments, and a facial reconstruction.
Isotope testing from a rib show the following: lead (Pb) data are consistent with the USA, so she was living in the US for at least 5-10 years before her death. The strontium (Sr) isotopes are also consistent with a USA signal and carbon (C) isotopes are consistent with an American diet. This individual likely spent a significant amount of time (i.e., at least several years) in FL prior to her death.”
The body was found wrapped in a distinctive blanket according to the unidentified persons database.
The biggest lead in the case is the report of a light colored ‘61-‘62 Ford Falcon occupied by three people entering the woods a couple of days prior to the boy’s discovery of the body – only two individuals came out.
If anyone has information, contact: Detective George Loydgren (352) 797-3714 Gloydgren@Hernandosheriff.Org
