Summary
In October 1999, the decomposed remains of a woman were found in wooded area behind a truck stop near I-20 in Weatherford, Texas. Investigators believe she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. She was found wearing a white bra, white socks, white or beige panties and a blue and white windsuit. She also had a large blue shoulder bag with expensive prescription beige glasses, a long brown wig and a bottle of mineral water. Investigators determined she was between 35 and 55 year-old and had $30,000-$35,000 worth of extensive dental work including gold foil fillings with porcelain veneers.
Despite an extensive investigation, her identity could not be determined and she became known as Weatherford Jane Doe. Details of the woman’s case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP3572.
In September 2023, retired Deputy Chief Greg Lance encouraged Lieutenant Johnny Qualls and the Cold Case Unit to reexamine the case with modern forensic DNA technology. After consulting with Dr. Crowder at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office, the team decided to explore forensic genetic genealogy, a method that has helped identify unknown individuals in numerous cold cases.
In 2023, the Weatherford Police Department and the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office sent forensic evidence to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas in hopes that advanced DNA testing could help identify the woman. Othram scientists produced a suitable DNA extract from the remains. A comprehensive DNA profile was then developed for the woman using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®. Othram's forensic genetic genealogy team then conducted a genealogical search that resulted in new leads, which were provided to law enforcement.
The follow-up investigation led investigators to potential relatives of the woman. A reference DNA sample from a possible relative was compared to the DNA profile of the unknown woman leading to the positive identification of the woman, who is now known to be Nellie Faye Gillespie. She was last seen in Jackson, Mississippi on August 15, 1998. She had called her son informing him she was planning on going to Arizona but was never heard from again.
The identification of Nellie Gillespie is the 18th case in Texas where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other Texas cases.
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.