Summary

On May 25, 1980, an unidentified woman was fatally struck by a vehicle while crossing a freeway in Houston, Texas. She carried no identification, and investigators were left with no immediate clues to determine who she was. With no name and no leads, she was classified as Jane Doe.

The woman had hazel eyes and curly black hair measuring at least eleven inches in length. Her ears were pierced, and her fingernails were bitten. She bore a four-inch surgical scar on the right side of her abdomen, a small scar on her right elbow, and two scars on the inside of her left forearm. Investigators estimated she was White, between 25 and 35 years old, stood 5’6” tall, and weighed approximately 154 pounds.

At the time of her death, she was wearing a black or dark blue blouse decorated with light-colored flowers and a white V-neck collar, a size 36B bra, a pair of new Sasson jeans, and high-heeled shoes sized between 8 and 8.5.

In October 2008, the case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP4636. Despite continued investigative efforts, her identity has remained unknown.

Now, decades later, new technology offers renewed hope. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has submitted forensic evidence to Othram, where advanced DNA testing has determined that forensic genetic genealogy may help identify this woman. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team will conduct records research and use DNA analysis to develop new investigative leads.

Anyone with information that may assist in identifying this woman is encouraged to contact the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences at 832-927-5049, referencing agency case number ML80-2892.

To support this effort, contributions can be made to the DNASolves® crowdfund, which has been established to help cover the costs of Othram’s casework. With public support, this woman may finally be reunited with her name and her story.