Summary
In June 1987, the body of a young woman was discovered behind an auto repair shop on Collingwood Boulevard near Interstate 75 in Toledo, Ohio. It was determined that the woman died several days prior to her body being found. The woman was wrapped in pink-colored cloth, similar to a blanket, and she was wearing Jordache jeans. Her toenails were painted pink and she had five piercings in each ear, with small, round pearl earrings. She had short cropped strawberry-blonde hair and was estimated to have been 16 to 20 years old at her time of death. The woman was approximately 5’4” to 5’7” in height and weighed about 110 pounds. It appeared that someone had set fire to the woman's body in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP4778. A forensic sketch was developed and released to the public in hopes that it would generate new leads about the woman's identity. Despite available clues and identifying characteristics, the young woman was never identified and she became known as Toledo Jane Doe.
In 2024, Toledo Police Department Detective Jason Mussery requested funding for advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy in hopes that Toledo Jane Doe may finally be identified. The Porchlight Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers funding for DNA testing and genetic genealogy for Ohio cold cases, agreed to fund Othram's casework costs. Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the Jane Doe.
This profile was used in a forensic genetic genealogy search for the development of new investigative leads. With those new leads, a possible relative was located in Michigan. Further follow up by detectives from the Ohio Bureau of Investigation, the Toledo Police Department and the Lucas County Coroner’s Office located the possible family members near Detroit, Michigan. Using KinSNP® Rapid Relationship testing, the profile of a relative was compared to the Jane Doe's profile, confirming the identity of the woman as Tammy Lowe of Taylor, MI. She was 18-years-old when she died.
The identification of Tammy Lowe represents the second case in the State of Ohio where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. To read about other cases in Ohio that have been solved, visit DNASolves.
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.