Summary
In June 1993, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered on a construction site in Marietta, Georgia. Marietta is just northwest of Atlanta. The Marietta Police Department responded to the scene. The individual’s remains were transported to the Cobb County Medical Examiner who determined that the remains were that of a white female who was estimated to be 5’ 3” tall and weighed 100 pounds. The woman was between the ages of 25 and 30 years old. She wore a multicolored bead earring, hip length short sleeve jacket, white halter top with an orange-pink diamond print design, and lightweight blouse-like slacks. There was also a safety pin for her slacks located near the remains.
In 2012, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP10604. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement investigators to identify the woman, no matches were found, and the case went cold due to a lack of viable leads.
In January 2022, the Marietta Police Department submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence, and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the homicide victim. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the woman. This investigation led to the positive identification of the woman, who is now known to be Patricia Howard.
Patricia had relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1980, after spending most of her life in Los Angeles. As a chiropractor, she sought better job prospects and a lower cost of living. Patricia moved in with a friend in Atlanta, and her family in Los Angeles believed everything was going well. However, her father soon received a distressing call from her, urgently requesting money to cover her bills. He promptly sent the funds through Western Union, but Patricia never collected them. Concerned, her father contacted the local police in Atlanta, who initiated a missing person investigation. Eventually, the police discovered that her car had been impounded and she was never seen again.
The identification of Marietta County Jane Doe (1993) represents the 16th case in the State of Georgia where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Most recently in Waycross, Georgia, 5-year-old Kenyatta Odom, who was murdered over three decades ago, was identified in November 2023.
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.