Summary
In July 1990, the skeletal remains of an unidentified woman were found in a stream near a railroad trestle in Monroe Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Four children picking berries made the discovery and notified law enforcement. The Pennsylvania State Police and other agencies responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. Investigators determined the woman was a homicide victim who had likely been killed six to eight weeks earlier. Her cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the right side of the skull.
Investigators estimated the woman was between 20 and 40 years old and had brown, shoulder-length hair. She was found wearing size 9 black Gitano Express jeans with a penny in each pocket, size 7 Fruit of the Loom underwear, and a black button-down shirt with an attached floral vest made by Stop Light of California.
Despite a lengthy investigation, including the distribution of forensic sketches and photographs depicting what the woman may have looked like and widespread media attention, she could not be identified. Because pennies were found in the pockets of her jeans, she became known as Penny Doe (1990). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP6580.
In 2022, the Pennsylvania State Police, working with the Department of Forensic Applied Science at Mercyhurst College, submitted forensic evidence to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas. At Othram, scientists worked to develop a DNA extract from the provided evidence, then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the woman. Law enforcement used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads.
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 Windy Buchanan. Buchanan was 19 years old when she went missing.
The Pennsylvania State Police is actively investigation Buchanan's homicide. Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police at 814-226-1710.
This is the 17th publicly announced case in the State of Pennsylvania where investigators have used Othram's technology to identify an individual. Learn about other cases by visiting Othram's website.
Dan Miller
Director of Customer Service
Dan guides law enforcement agencies across the United States and internationally through every step of the forensic process—from crime scene to courtroom. He ensures investigators have the support and resources they need to navigate advanced DNA testing and maximize the impact of forensic evidence in their cases.