Summary
In September 2001, skeletal remains of a female homicide victim were found near a drainage ditch in the 1500 block of Lincoln Circle, in Mclean, Virginia. According to NamUs, she was found in a wooded area behind an apartment complex. The skeletal remains were spread around a slope and a water drainage area.
The young woman was described as African American, with partially dyed red hair, standing about 5’5” feet tall. She was believed to be between 15 and 20 years of age, at the time of her death. Her death has been classified as a homicide due to evidence of a gunshot wound on her skull. Investigators believe she could have died months to a year prior to her discovery. Although jewelry and clothing were found at the scene, presumed to belong to the victim, there were no identifying documents or clues to her identity.
With few leads to go on, the case eventually went cold. In 2022, Fairfax County Police Department teamed with Othram to use advanced DNA testing to help generate new investigative leads that could lead to the female victim's identity or at least to the identity of a close relative.
Anyone with information that could aid in this investigation is encouraged to contact the Fairfax County Police Department at (703)246-7511. Please refer to NamUs Case UP6470. A DNASolves fund has been created to cover the cost of testing for this case.
Michael Vogen
Director of Case Management
Michael works with law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada on “unsolvable“ cases that can benefit from advanced DNA testing methods. He helps these agencies use cutting edge DNA sequencing and new forensic techniques to develop investigative leads for their cases.
About Othram Inc.
Othram is the world’s first private DNA laboratory built specifically to apply the power of modern parallel sequencing to forensic evidence. Othram’s scientists are experts at recovery, enrichment, and analysis of human DNA from trace quantities of degraded or contaminated materials. Founded in 2018, and located in The Woodlands, Texas, our team works with academic researchers, forensic scientists, medical examiners, and law enforcement agencies to achieve results when other approaches have failed. Follow Othram on Twitter @OthramTech or visit Othram.com to learn how we can help you with your case. With dnasolves.com anyone can make a difference and help solve the next cold case.