Shively Police Department Teams with Othram to Identify 2005 Jane Doe

After more than a decade, a possible homicide victim found in Shively, Kentucky needs to be unidentified.
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Published July 23 by Michael Vogen
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Summary

In July 2005, partial skeletal remains were located as a construction company was clearing a lot in the 3600 block of Seventh Street Road in the City of Shively, a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky. Investigators determined that the remains belonged to a Caucasian female between the ages of twenty and forty years old. Investigators suspect that the death could be a homicide. The woman was estimated to be 5’2” in height and her weight was unknown. Several short hairs were recovered, leading investigators to believe the woman had straight brown hair. However, it is possible that the color represented the woman’s root color only. The woman’s nose was described as “distinctively narrow.” No clothing or other identifying items were found near the crime scene.

In June 2007, details of the unidentified person case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as case number UP74. To help generate leads for the woman's identity, a forensic artist rendering was created in 2009. Since the discovery of the unknown woman’s body, more than 100 women have been ruled out as the victim. Despite continuous efforts by law enforcement to identify the woman, no leads have yielded a match to identity.

In 2023, the Shively Police Department partnered with Othram to generate new leads in the case using advanced DNA technology and forensic genetic genealogy. Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to contact the Shively Police Department by calling 502-448-6181 and referencing agency case number FA-2005-41 or NamUs ID UP74.

A DNASolves crowdfund has been established to cover the casework costs. Anyone can contribute here.

Help fund another case Your contributions pay for lab supplies and research tools

Michael Vogen

Michael Vogen

Director of Case Management

2829 Technology Forest Blvd Suite 100, The Woodlands, Texas 77381
media@othram.com

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.

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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 ... Read morerecovery, 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.