Summary
In October 1998, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found in Independence, Missouri, a suburb of Kansas City. It was originally believed that the woman's remains had been displaced by a flood in 1977. However, this information could not be confirmed. Investigators were able to determine that the remains were that of a female. However, no identifying characteristics could be determined for the woman.
Despite the efforts of investigators, the woman's identity remained unknown for more than 25 years, and she became known as Jackson County Jane Doe. In 2017, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP16295.
In 2024, the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office once again teamed with Othram to determine if advanced forensic DNA testing could help to identify the woman. Previously, Jackson County Medical Examiner and Othram worked together on the identification of Kevin Dewayne Cochran.
Forensic evidence was submitted to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the woman. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.
Using these new leads, Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office investigators conducted a follow-up investigation and made contact with a potential relative of the woman. Follow-up DNA testing confirmed the identity of the woman as Marie Antoinette Young. Young was born on December 1, 1922. Marie was known to be missing and her family searched for her for many years, even hiring a private investigator in their attempt to locate her.
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.