Credit: Loudoun County Sheriff's Office
The Loudoun County (Virginia) Sheriff's Office (LCSO) announced that its Cold Case Unit, in partnership with forensic artist Joe Mullins, an adjunct professor in both the forensic science program and the School of Art at George Mason University, has created a clay facial reconstruction bust of an unidentified female homicide victim in one of Loudoun County's oldest unsolved cases.
The victim, known only as Jane Doe, was discovered on May 28, 1973, on Foundry Road and Taylor Road in Lincoln, Virginia. Despite an extensive investigation at the time, detectives were unable to identify the young woman or apprehend any suspects. Her case has remained open for over 50 years.
Using a 3D printed model of the victim's skeletal remains, Mullins has sculpted a bust that provides a likeness of what Jane Doe may have looked like at the time of her death. Investigators hope that someone may recognize the victim's facial features and provide information that could finally lead to her identity.
“George Mason’s forensic science program offers practical applications in real-life situations like this for our students to leverage their artistic and crime solving skills,” shared Mullins, who teaches graduate students as well as undergraduate students in the forensics figure sculpting art course where this project was created. “First, George Mason forensic science assistant professor, Steven Burmeister collaborated with law enforcement to assist in the exhuming effort, using ground penetrating radar to locate the body. Now this effort to create a portrait from the inside out allows students to experience art with a purpose, learning how to reconstruct facial features that could aid law enforcement agencies, such as the Loudoun County Sheriff’s office, to identify the victim in this unique way, which could help solve crimes and bring closure to victims’ families,” Mullins explained.
The clay bust depicts a Black female in her late 20s to early 30s, which is consistent with the findings of forensic anthropologists who have examined the victim's remains. Jane Doe had black hair, was approximately 5’7” tall, and estimated to be about 145 lbs. When her body was found, she was wearing an orange blouse and knit pants with a plaid orange, blue, and white jacket. The original medical examiner's report also stated that she had manicured nails with purple and red nail polish, and that she wore a blue stone ring on her right ring finger described as a size 5.5, 18kt yellow gold ring with a blue square Swarovski stone.
In 2023, the remains of Jane Doe were exhumed by a specialized team of forensic experts from LCSO, as well as the Long-Term “Unidentified” (victim) Coordinator from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). Jane Doe’s remains were exhumed from an unmarked grave at the Mount Olive Baptist Church Cemetery in Lincoln, Virginia and transported to the OCME's office in Manassas where a DNA sample was obtained.
A DNA profile was created from the extracted DNA, but, as of yet, investigators have not been able to successfully link it to any closely related family members. Possible relatives that have been identified are too far removed from the victim to establish a close enough match to positively identify Jane Doe. Currently, the cold case team has established several states Jane Doe might have lived in as well as possible surnames using the information from the potentially related relatives. In addition to Virginia, detectives think that Jane Doe could have been connected to Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, or Mississippi. Surnames associated with the possible distant relatives include Booker, Shepherd, and Loving. These names might have a connection to Jane Doe as well.
"This cold case illustrates law enforcement at its finest. I’m so proud of the work the LCSO has done on this case, as well as our partnerships with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and with Professor Mullins,” said Sheriff Mike Chapman. “I hope this relentless determination, combined with the renewed interest sparked by this incredible sculpture, not only leads to identifying the victim but also brings us closer to solving the murder.”
LCSO Detectives Mark Bush and Jorge Garcia, along with Sergeant Josh Edney, Major Bryan Wacker and Sheriff Chapman presented details about the case’s background to Professor Mullins’ class on the evening of Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
Anyone with information about Jane Doe's identity is asked to call the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at (703) 777-1021. If you wish to remain anonymous, please call the Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919 or submit a tip through the LCSO app.
Republished courtesy of Loudoun County Sheriff's Office