TN CHEATHAM COUNTY JANE DOE: WF, 14-20, found in a dumping ground in Cheatham County, TN - 21 Oct 1981 *LINDA KARNES*

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566UFTN - Unidentified Female
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Reconstructions of the victim by NCMEC, Erin H. Kimmerle and Joanna J. Hughes.

Date of Discovery: October 21, 1981
Location of Discovery: Cheatham County, Tennessee
Estimated Date of Death: Partial skeletal
State of Remains: 3-9 months prior
Cause of Death: Homicide

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 14-20 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: Weight: Unknown
Hair: Brown and straight
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers
Dentals: Available; Cross bite on left side. Filling present. Poor dental care for some time prior to death.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Unknown.
Jewelry: Unknown.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown.

Circumstances of Discovery
The victim was located in a dumping ground in Cheatham County, Tennessee on October 21, 1981. She is believed to have been a hitchhiker.

Chemical isotope testing indicated the female was not native to Tennessee and had not spent a significant amount of time in the state. She most likely was born in southern Florida or central Texas and later spent several years preceding her death in the Midwest.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: University of Tennessee - Forensic Anthropology Center
Agency Contact Person: Dr. Lee Jantz
Agency Phone Number: 865-974-4408
Agency E-Mail: ljantz(at)utk.edu
Agency Case Number: 81-23F

Agency Name: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Agency Contact Person: Amy Emberton
Agency Phone Number: 615-744-4000
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 5-2207

Agency Name: Cheatham County Medical Examiner's Office
Agency Contact Person: Dan Schaeffer
Agency Phone Number: 615-792-0312
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: Unknown

Agency Name: Cheatham County Sheriff's Department
Agency Contact Person: Randy Clark or Steve Watson
Agency Phone Number: 615-792-4316
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: Unknown

NCIC Case Number: U146928566
NamUs Case Number: 1582
NCMEC Case Number: 1106809

Information Source(s)
NamUs
NCMEC
University of South Florida

 
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Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Teams with Othram to Identify 1981 Homicide Victim​

A juvenile whose skeletal remains were found in the early 1980s in Cheatham County has been identified as 15-year-old Linda Sue Karnes.

In December of 2022, as part of the Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative, TBI agents submitted a sample of the girl's skeletal remains to Othram Inc., a private lab based in Texas, for forensic genetic genealogical DNA testing. Othram scientists developed a suitable DNA extract and the used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown girl. The profile was used by Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team to develop investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement investigators.

The investigative leads provided information about possible relatives connected to the girl. A TBI intelligence analyst used that information to locate potential family members in Middle Tennessee and Florida. Agents made contact with several of those family members and confirmed they had a family member they had not heard from in more than four decades. Agents were able to obtain a DNA standard from family members to be compared against the victim's DNA. This month, the team positively identified the woman as Linda Sue Karnes, born August 10, 1965. Linda was originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Cunningham, Tennessee. Prior to her death, she spent time in the Montgomery County Girls Home in Clarksville.

TBI special agents are hoping the public can help provide information that may help solve the murder of Linda Sue Karnes. If you have information about this homicide, specifically any knowledge about individuals Linda may have been with before her death, please call 1-800-TBI-FIND.

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Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Teams with Othram to Identify 1981 Homicide Victim​

A juvenile whose skeletal remains were found in the early 1980s in Cheatham County has been identified as 15-year-old Linda Sue Karnes.

In December of 2022, as part of the Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative, TBI agents submitted a sample of the girl's skeletal remains to Othram Inc., a private lab based in Texas, for forensic genetic genealogical DNA testing. Othram scientists developed a suitable DNA extract and the used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown girl. The profile was used by Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team to develop investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement investigators.

The investigative leads provided information about possible relatives connected to the girl. A TBI intelligence analyst used that information to locate potential family members in Middle Tennessee and Florida. Agents made contact with several of those family members and confirmed they had a family member they had not heard from in more than four decades. Agents were able to obtain a DNA standard from family members to be compared against the victim's DNA. This month, the team positively identified the woman as Linda Sue Karnes, born August 10, 1965. Linda was originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Cunningham, Tennessee. Prior to her death, she spent time in the Montgomery County Girls Home in Clarksville.

TBI special agents are hoping the public can help provide information that may help solve the murder of Linda Sue Karnes. If you have information about this homicide, specifically any knowledge about individuals Linda may have been with before her death, please call 1-800-TBI-FIND.

View attachment 20094
Seems they might need to tweak their isotope readings?
 

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