KY BOWLING GREEN JANE DOE: WF, 12-20, found alongside northbound Interstate 65 in Bowling Green, KY - 4 July 1984 *PATRICIA ARMENTROUT*

526UFKY - Unidentified Female




Reconstructons by NCMEC; original clay rendering.

Date of Discovery: July 4, 1984
Location of Discovery: Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky
Estimated Date of Death: Several months to two years prior
State of Remains: Partial skeletal
Cause of Death: Unknown

Physical Description​

Estimated Age: 12-20 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 4'8" to 5'0"
Weight: 90 to 115 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Healed injury to back of skull. Possible scar on right elbow. Possibly right-handed.

Identifiers​

Dentals: Available (X-rays); She had dental work completed within 4 to 5 years prior to death; several fillings were observed. Hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of two bottom middle teeth.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items​

Clothing: Long sleeved multicolored pullover blouse and red corduroy Levi pants.
Jewelry: Unknown.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown.

Circumstances of Discovery​

The decedent's partial skeletal remains were located alongside northbound Interstate 65, about 30-40 feet from the roadway.

Investigating Agency(s)​

Agency Name: Kentucky State Medical Examiner's office
Agency Contact Person: Dr. Amy Burrows-Beckham
Agency Phone Number: 502-489-5209
Agency E-Mail: Amy.Burrows(at)ky.gov
Agency Case Number: 84-F-38

Agency Name: Kentucky State Police - Post 3
Agency Contact Person: Det. Sgt. Tim Adams
Agency Phone Number: 1-270-782-2010
Agency E-Mail: Timothy.Adams(at)ky.gov
Agency Case Number: Unknown

NCIC Case Number: U756767830
NamUs Case Number: 102
NCMEC Case Number: 1106797

Information Source(s)​

NamUs
NCMEC
Kentucky State Police

526UFKY

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

After 40 years, Warren County Jane Doe (1984) is Identified

Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office Teams with Othram to Identify Warren County Jane Doe

dnasolves.com

In an effort to finally identify the young woman, the Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing could help in her identification. A DNASolves crowdfund was created to raise funds for the casework costs. We are grateful for those who contributed. In 2022, forensic evidence was submitted to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas, where scientists successfully developed a DNA extract for use in Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®. A comprehensive DNA profile was built for Warren County Jane Doe, enabling Othram’s Forensic Genetic Genealogy team to carry out the necessary genealogical research to develop new leads in the case.

These leads were returned to officials with the Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office, who launched a follow-up investigation. This investigation included extensive interviews and the research of records allowing for the identification of Warren County Jane Doe, who is now known to be Patricia Armentrout. Patricia was born on April 20, 1964 in Bethesda, Maryland. An investigation into Patricia’s death and her final days is ongoing.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

KSP makes major discovery in 1984 cold case

A grim discovery made near I-65 in Warren County in 1984 has perplexed detectives for decades.

www.wbko.com

KSP makes major discovery in 1984 cold case​

For nearly four decades, state police in Bowling Green have grappled with a cold case that offered few leads and even less information. But now, new developments have emerged that could finally shed light on the mystery lingering since 1984.


For decades, the identity of the woman had remained a mystery—until now. Advances in DNA testing and genetic genealogy have finally allowed investigators to uncover the truth.

Generations of detectives at Kentucky State Police’s Post 3 in Bowling Green have revisited this cold case, each hoping for a breakthrough. That long-awaited moment finally came on March 20, 2023.

“I was sitting, working a detail, and I got an email that had a report in it from Othram,” Shirley said.

Othram, a forensic laboratory in Texas, had been contacted by KSP to analyze the bones, which had been tucked away in evidence for years. Using advanced DNA technology, the lab was able to develop a DNA profile from the remains, a major step forward in the investigation.

“This is a case that really and truly was stuck. An identity couldn’t be determined. It took DNA testing. It took genetic genealogy and then it took some pretty spectacular work on behalf of investigators to dig through a very complicated story to get to the bottom of who she was,” said Dr. David Mittelman, CEO of Othram.

The lab uses a technique called Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing, which analyzes thousands of DNA markers and data points to identify unknown individuals from their DNA.

A common DNA profiling technique used today is called STR (short tandem repeat) analysis. It is used in conjunction with an FBI database called CODIS, helping law enforcement agencies identify suspects, link crimes, and exonerate the innocent through DNA.

“The problem is if you’re not in CODIS, you can’t be found,” Mittelman said.

Mittelman explained that Othram funds many of its investigations through crowdfunding, allowing the public to help prioritize which cases the lab pursues.

“What we can do at Othram is take evidence that has previously been unusable with other methods, and then when we use it and access it to get DNA information, we get a lot more than just 20 markers,” he said. “We get hundreds of thousands of markers.”

After developing a comprehensive DNA profile, Othram searched a genetic genealogy database and found distant relatives of Patricia Armentrout. In early 2023, they converged on an answer, but the case turned out to be more complex.

Armentrout had been adopted and was living under a different name than her birth name. Kentucky State Police eventually contacted her relatives and discovered a Maryland birth certificate from a family member in another state, confirming her identity.

Shirley said while identifying Armentrout is a significant step, it only completes half of the puzzle.

“You look at the other side of it and you realize that you’ve only completed half of it,” Shirley said. “I don’t think it takes an investigator to realize that people don’t just end up on the side of Interstate 65 in a wooded area on their own and die.”

 

[Kimster]

KSP makes major discovery in 1984 cold case

A grim discovery made near I-65 in Warren County in 1984 has perplexed detectives for decades.

www.wbko.com

KSP makes major discovery in 1984 cold case​

For nearly four decades, state police in Bowling Green have grappled with a cold case that offered few leads and even less information. But now, new developments have emerged that could finally shed light on the mystery lingering since 1984.


For decades, the identity of the woman had remained a mystery—until now. Advances in DNA testing and genetic genealogy have finally allowed investigators to uncover the truth.

Generations of detectives at Kentucky State Police’s Post 3 in Bowling Green have revisited this cold case, each hoping for a breakthrough. That long-awaited moment finally came on March 20, 2023.

“I was sitting, working a detail, and I got an email that had a report in it from Othram,” Shirley said.

Othram, a forensic laboratory in Texas, had been contacted by KSP to analyze the bones, which had been tucked away in evidence for years. Using advanced DNA technology, the lab was able to develop a DNA profile from the remains, a major step forward in the investigation.

“This is a case that really and truly was stuck. An identity couldn’t be determined. It took DNA testing. It took genetic genealogy and then it took some pretty spectacular work on behalf of investigators to dig through a very complicated story to get to the bottom of who she was,” said Dr. David Mittelman, CEO of Othram.

The lab uses a technique called Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing, which analyzes thousands of DNA markers and data points to identify unknown individuals from their DNA.

A common DNA profiling technique used today is called STR (short tandem repeat) analysis. It is used in conjunction with an FBI database called CODIS, helping law enforcement agencies identify suspects, link crimes, and exonerate the innocent through DNA.

“The problem is if you’re not in CODIS, you can’t be found,” Mittelman said.

Mittelman explained that Othram funds many of its investigations through crowdfunding, allowing the public to help prioritize which cases the lab pursues.

“What we can do at Othram is take evidence that has previously been unusable with other methods, and then when we use it and access it to get DNA information, we get a lot more than just 20 markers,” he said. “We get hundreds of thousands of markers.”

After developing a comprehensive DNA profile, Othram searched a genetic genealogy database and found distant relatives of Patricia Armentrout. In early 2023, they converged on an answer, but the case turned out to be more complex.

Armentrout had been adopted and was living under a different name than her birth name. Kentucky State Police eventually contacted her relatives and discovered a Maryland birth certificate from a family member in another state, confirming her identity.

Shirley said while identifying Armentrout is a significant step, it only completes half of the puzzle.

“You look at the other side of it and you realize that you’ve only completed half of it,” Shirley said. “I don’t think it takes an investigator to realize that people don’t just end up on the side of Interstate 65 in a wooded area on their own and die.”

Carl K once told me that the adopted cases can be the most challenging. It’s obvious why!