VA ANNANDALE JANE DOE: WF, 50-70, found in Pleasant Valley Memorial Cemetery, VA - 18 Dec 1996 *JOYCE MEYER SOMMERS*

Date of Discovery: December 18, 1996
Location of Discovery: Annandale, Fairfax County, Virginia
Estimated Date of Death: Hours prior
State of Remains: Recognizable face
Cause of Death: Suicide

Physical Description

Estimated Age: 50-70 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'0"
Weight: 157 lbs.
Hair Color: Auburn or red, almost a copper color, curly.
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: She had an 8-inch scar on her abdomen, probably from a C-section. Her fingernails were painted red.

Identifiers

Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Samples submitted - Tests not complete.

Clothing & Personal Items

Clothing: Teal all-weather Eddie Baur hooded jacket (size M), navy blue Classiques Entier sweater (size L), red Classiques Entier sweater (size XL), red Classiques Entier sleeveless silk shirt (size Petite L), navy blue Classiques Entier knit wool pants (size L), knee-high stockings, white support bra, white Fruit of the Loom underpants (size 6), and black loafers (size 7M). Her clothes may have come from an upscale store such as Saks Fifth Avenue.
Jewelry: Two clip-on earrings, a small gold women's Guess watch with a mesh band, a 14-karat gold ring with four jade stones, and a metal bead chain with a medic alert "NO CODE, DNR, No Penicillin."
Additional Personal Items: Bifocals with translucent frames. A green knapsack that held Jeff Foxworthy's You Might Be A Redneck cassette, a tape of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, two empty juice bottles, and a new roll of masking.

Circumstances of Discovery

A groundskeeper at the Pleasant Valley Memorial Park Cemetery discovered the decedent's body near the section of the cemetery where infants are buried, but not near any particular grave.There was a clear plastic sheet on the ground with an 8-inch Christmas tree adorned with gold balls and red ribbons. She had a portable tape player with headphones, which were on her ears. A recording of comedians Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner doing their 2000 Year Old Man routine was in the player.She had committed suicide by drinking brandy (she had a 0.14 blood-alcohol level), swallowing Valium, and placing a plastic bag over her head and tying it off with tape, suffocating herself.She left two fifty dollar bills; one for the coroner,and one for the cemetery, both with the same typed note: Deceased by own hand...prefer no autopsy. Please order cremation with funds provided. Thank you, Jane Doe.She had no receipts in her pockets for investigators to trace her movements. Most of the headstones nearby where she was found were fairly recent. The site would probably not be known to a drifter.




Investigating Agency(s)

Agency Name: Northern District Medical Examiner's Office
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 703-530-2600
Agency Case Number: N1996-41257

Agency Name: Fairfax County Police Department
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 800-673-2777
Agency Case Number: 96353000549

Agency Name: Fairfax County Crime Solvers
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 800-411-TIPS or 703-691-8888

NCIC Case Number: U989549567
NamUs Case Number: UP #6279

Information Source(s)
NamUs
National Center for Missing Adults

Admin Notes

Added: Prior to 2004; Last Updated: 3/21/2019

245UFVA

December 1996 in Annandale,Virginia, #JaneDoe was found dead by suicide in the infants section of a small cemetery in Pleasant valley memorial park

Jane Doe was found on a plastic sheet that she had laid out on the ground. There was a small, decorated 8” Christmas tree nearby. She had ingested brandy and valium and her blood-alcohol level was 0.14. She was wearing head phones and listening...

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[Akoya]

Looza is a Belgian manufacturer of quality fruit juices and nectars since 1948.

www.brasseriedestilleuls.be

Jus Fraise Looza

Robot or human?

Looza Peach Juice Drink, 33.8 Oz (Pack of 6)

$36.62
FREE shipping

About this item

Important Made in USA Origin Disclaimer: For certain items sold by Walmart on Walmart.com, the displayed country of origin information may not be accurate or consistent with manufacturer information. For updated, accurate country of origin data, it is recommended that you rely on product packaging or manufacturer information.

Looza Peach Juice Drink, 33.8 Oz (Pack of 6)

From concentrate. 160 calories per 8 fl oz serving. 38% juice. Questions or comments? Call 1-877-342-1813. Please recycle. Made in Belgium.

Ingredients:
Ingredients: Water, Peach Puree, Water.

Directions:
Instructions: Chill before serving / shake before using / refrigerate after opening.

 

[Akoya]

I feel like I need to consider the possibility of a devastating medical diagnosis for Annandale Jane. Her personal demise was well planned and she seemed to surround herself with chosen items she cared about and enjoyed. She was diligent enough to place plastic on the ground beneath her, before settling in for a wake that included brandy and Belgian fruit juice. She eliminated all traces of her identity. Either someone brought her to Pleasant Valley Cemetery, or her purse/wallet were deposited in a trash receptacle enroute to the cemetery. It doesn't seem that suicide was a rash decision for her. In 1996, a diagnosis of an aggressive form of cancer or HIV would have been a death sentence. A diagnosis for one of those conditions would have been the harbinger of an agonizing ordeal. She may have gone to Annandale for sentimental reasons, from another location. The Medical Examiner felt she was transient. We really can't eliminate the possibility that her suicide could have been assisted.

 

[Akoya]

HIV and AIDS --- United States, 1981--2000

 

[Akoya]

Ray Gosling, AIDS, and Euthanasia

Ray Gosling's admission was shocking but not unusual: for years, gay men with AIDS have struggled with the legality, ethics, and reality of assisted suicide.

www.newsweek.com

RAY GOSLING, AIDS, AND EUTHANASIA
BY SARAH KLIFF ON 2/18/10


It was a chilling confession, made in the middle of a BBC documentary on death and dying that aired on Monday. "I killed someone once," 70-year-old British reporter Ray Gosling says. "He'd been my lover and he got AIDS. I picked up the pillow and smothered him until he was dead. No regrets." Legal repercussions followed, with local authorities swiftly arresting Gosling—assisted suicide is illegal in the United Kingdom, as it is in most countries—and charging him in his partner’s murder.

Gosling's admission and his ensuing arrest was certainly shocking. But it also confirmed what assisted-suicide experts already knew: legal issues of hastening death have long plagued AIDS patients and their doctors. "Certainly, we know it's a community where this type of bootleg assisted suicide occurred throughout the 1990s," says Ian Dowbiggin, the author of A Concise History of Euthanasia and an expert on the right-to-die movement. "This specific example of assisted suicide, I don't know how common it is, but it is likely more common in this particular community than elsewhere."

Much of it has to do with the nature of the disease, which began to disproportionately affect gay men in the 1980s and early 1990s. AIDS patients were ravaged by tumors, seizures, and paralysis, and doctors had little to offer by way of a cure. Early treatments often merely prolonged this suffering. "People who suffered from AIDS were naturally interested in assisted suicide, whether it was legal or not," says Dowbiggin. As Gosling explained on the BBC of his own partner's disease, "Doctors said, 'There's nothing we can do'; he was in terrible pain." Legally, there was nothing his doctors likely could have done: in the United Kingdom, as in the United States (except for Washington and Oregon), physicians are barred from assisting a patient's suicide.

 

[Akoya]

Annandale Jane's REI backpack doesn't look like it's new. The upper section appears to be soiled.

 

[Akoya]

Mistic Brands, Inc.
NY

Now part of Dr. Pepper Snapple Beverage Group.

Mistic Brands, Inc. - Supplier Finder

www.bevnet.com

 

[Akoya]

This fanny pack is interesting. It's in terrible condition. The elastic looks stretched out in one section. The zipper looks like it has a safety pin attached to it. I guess that's tape on the section at the left. Why would she keep this? It must have had special significance.

 

[Akoya]

Annandale Jane's case is very similar to "Mary Anderson" just eight weeks earlier in Seattle. There are a lot of similarities including a typed note, clothing from Nordstroms, red hair, and a completely erased identity. I wonder if they are somehow connected.

 

[Akoya]

Mary Anderson, Seattle
POST-MORTEM BELOW SPOILER

Spoiler

Annandale Jane, Virginia

 

[Akoya]

Annandale Jane, Fairfax Virginia December 18, 1996

"Mary Anderson", Seattle, October 9, 1996

 

[Akoya]

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OMHHE/healthequity/navigating-healthcare/family/death.htm

Must I have an autopsy?
There are cases when either an “autopsy” or a “view” is required by law. These are the cases handled by a medical examiner. They are called “medical examiner’s cases.” These are cases when the medical examiner must complete the death certificate.

What is a medical examiner?
A medical examiner (ME) is a physician who determines why and how a person died. You may hear how and why a person died called the “cause” and “manner” of death. Each city or county in Virginia has a medical examiner. Physicians, law enforcement officers, hospitals and funeral directors will report to the medical examiner any death that might require an autopsy or view.

When is a medical examiner needed?
By law, there are four times when a medical examiner must be used:

1) When the person who died was not under the care of a doctor
2) When death was sudden and not expected
3) When death was due to violence of any kind
4) When death might have been caused by violence

What is a “view” and what is an “autopsy?”
The medical examiner may do one of two exams:
A view: This is done in about half the cases a medical examiner sees. The medical examiner will do an outside exam of the body and collect fluids for testing.
An autopsy: This is done when a viewing does not give enough information. The medical examiner will do a complete outside and inside exam. This will include testing all internal organs and collecting fluids.
May I refuse an autopsy if the medical examiner wants one?
No. The medical examiner will only do an autopsy when one is necessary. This is a matter of law.

What does the medical examiner do if a body cannot be identified?
Usually, a medical examiner will use fingerprints and/or dental records to identify a body. If those are not available, police will take photos and bring those into the community to see if anyone can identify the body. Identifying and claiming a body does not put anyone at risk for deportation. The medical examiner’s office does NOT check your immigration status.

 

[Akoya]

http://criminal.lawyers.com/criminal-law-basics/autopsies-finding-out-why-may-be-required.html

CRIMINAL LAW
Autopsies: Finding Out "Why" May Be Required

Nothing's certain in life but death and taxes. Even so, the cause of death can be uncertain. When a person dies in suspicious or unnaturally circumstances, an autopsy can sometimes explain why.

Television shows may make it seem that every death is suspicious and there's at least one, if not two or more, bodies to examine, and occasionally to exhume, or dig up. Shows such as Quincy M.E., Crossing Jordan, or CSI: Crime Scene Investigation have certainly captured the public’s interest in the process.

Autopsies: Looking For Answers
An autopsy is a thorough examination of a dead body. In most instances, it includes complete internal and external examinations:

Bruises, cuts, puncture holes and other signs of physical trauma are looked for externally
The chest cavity is opened so internal organs may be examined for trauma, as well as signs of disease
Autopsies often include blood, tissue and other tests, such as when there are questions about whether the person being examined was using alcohol or drugs at or near the time of death.

When Autopsies Are Performed
Autopsies are common, and sometimes legally required, in certain circumstances. The most common is when a death is suspicious, like when there are no witnesses or the death is sudden and unexpected. The deaths of "Jackass" star Ryan Dunn and the "King of Pop" Michael Jackson are good examples.

Often, as with the Michael Jackson case, the autopsy leads to criminal charges being filed - usually serious homicide charges, like manslaughter, and perhaps murder.

Other Deaths Require Autopsies
The laws usually vary from state to state as to when autopsies are legally required. For example:
In states like Georgia, autopsies are required when a child under the age of seven dies unexpectedly or without explanation
Many states follow Michigan and require autopsies when deaths are caused by violence or abortion and when prison inmates die
Louisiana and practically every other state requires autopsies when there are suspicions a death was caused by any serious disease, such as HIV-AIDS or e. Coli
Check the laws in your state or with your local or state health department for details on when autopsies are legally required.

Who Performs Autopsies
In practically all cases, autopsies are performed by a licensed medical professional employed by the local government, such as your city or county. Common names for these professionals are coroners andmedical examiners.

Permission Not Needed
As a general rule, when an autopsy is legally required, a medical examiner doesn't need the permission or consent from the deceased person's spouse or next-of-kin before performing the autopsy. In some states, like Florida, every effort must be made to get the consent of the decedent's health care surrogate, spouse or next-of-kin.

 

[Akoya]

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/medical-examiner/looking-for-a-missing-person/

This is a great website from the Virginia Dept. of Health and the Virginia Medical Examiners. The website has facial reconstructions that have been submitted to NAMUS because they are unidentified persons. For some reason Annandale Jane Doe isn't included.

 

[Akoya]

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/medical...orts/virginia-violent-death-reporting-system/

VIRGINIA VIOLENT DEATH REPORTING SYSTEM

Beginning in 2003, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner implemented the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) in Virginia. The NVDRS is a public health data collection system designed to better understand the breadth and scope of fatal violence and its victims and to support data driven violence prevention efforts. The NVDRS links information in six types of violent deaths – homicides, suicides, accidental firearm deaths, legal interventions, deaths due to acts of terrorism, and undetermined deaths likely related to violence – using a variety of death investigation sources such as forensic pathology, law enforcement, forensic science, and vital records.

The Virginia Violent Death Reporting System (VVDRS) is the operation and reporting system of the NVDRS within Virginia, and uses the methodology, definitions, coding schema, and database of the NVDRS. Funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and operating now in 32 states, the goal of the NVDRS is to establish a national violent death surveillance system. Virginia was among the first six states to implement the NVDRS, and the first statewide medical examiner system to do so.



This program was started in 2003 in Virginia. I am not finding requirements for autopsies following suicides, prior to 2003.

 

[Akoya]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arch...wn-dead/25553f3d-208b-43e5-84a1-176b304996aa/

The number of unidentified cases has stayed roughly the same over the years--no increases, but no noticeable decreases even with the technological advances.

"What makes it so frustrating," Perez said of Jane Doe, "is this isn't a case where we're dealing with skeletal remains. This is a lady that somebody should recognize."

After a number of days have passed without an identification, police and medical examiners have a standard procedure to try to develop an identity. A complete set of photographs and X-rays, from head to toe, is taken, and the clothes are fully documented. Finger and palm prints are taken, as is a DNA sample.

A forensic odontologist, a specialist in dental science, performs a dental exam and devises a numeric code that is entered into the National Crime Information Computer, as are the codes for the fingerprints. A radiologist reviews the X-rays for distinctive marks or breaks. A high-resolution photo of the prints is sent to the FBI for closer examination. And if the person appears to be from another country, the Immigration and Naturalization Service is also consulted.

Sometimes, all those steps produce nothing. A man who apparently was strangled and discovered in a trunk in Loudoun County in May 1996 remains unidentified. And a woman apparently shot to death in Falls Church in May 1990 also is unidentified.



All of this was done with Annandale Jane, in addition to the standard procedures by the ME. There were no matches in any of the databases. I wonder if this woman was Canadian.

 

[Akoya]

medical alert bracelet

 

[Akoya]

Annandale isn't very far from the airport.

 

[Akoya]

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, AIDS was taking a tremendous toll in many parts of our country. Many people had been exposed before the course of the virus was understood. It could take as long as ten years for symptoms to develop. Potent medicinal "cocktails" were used, but it took years and hours of research for effective treatments to be developed. Many people had contracted the virus years before the progression of AIDS/HIV was fully understood. In the early years of AIDS, the diagnosis was a painful and debilitating death sentence. The body wasted and the infected person developed an appearance of "walking death" as their organs gradually failed. Many chose a suicide option to avoid the devastating physical pain and the shame from family and friends knowing about the source of the infection. Suicide was a way for those infected with the virus to take control of the inevitable and accept death with dignity. I do believe that UIDs from this time period should be considered as possible AIDS/HIV victims who chose suicide as an option. In 1996, there were no Rainbow or LGBT groups. This could be a reason why Annandale Jane Doe didn't want an autopsy.

 

[Akoya]

Thank you, GarAndMo.

 

[KareBear]

Annandale Jane's case is very similar to "Mary Anderson" just eight weeks earlier in Seattle. There are a lot of similarities including a typed note, clothing from Nordstroms, red hair, and a completely erased identity. I wonder if they are somehow connected.

Very interesting, possible, connection @Akoya! You have really done your homework on this one ! Thank you! These two cases are ones that I always come back to! Great detective work!