MI DETROIT JANE DOE: WF, 16-25, found in a landfill near Harper Avenue in Detroit, MI - 10 Feb 1987 - Silver rings *Identified*

1207UFMI - Unidentified Female
1605752669686.png
Reconstruction by Jane Wankmiller; victim's rings.

Date of Discovery: February 10, 1987
Location of Discovery: Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Estimated Date of Death: 2 days prior
State of Remains: Recognizable face
Cause of Death: Homicide by stabbing

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 16-25 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 114 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown that had recently been highlighted blonde with reddish tints. It was styled in layers and tapered with a long nape.
Eye Color: Hazel or light brown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Episiotomy scar. She had given birth within 8 weeks to a year before she died. She was still lactating.



Identifiers
Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Insufficient DNA for profiling.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Black bikini panties, well worn.
Jewelry: Two silver rings (both costume jewelry) - one with a thin band and a small roped round design and one larger with marquee cut center clear stone and surrounding round clear stones on steps. Both rings were worn on her left hand, the thin band on her pointer finger, the larger ring on her ring finger.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown.

Circumstances of Discovery
The victim's body was located in a landfill near Harper Avenue in Detroit. She had been stabbed to death, her throat slit and was likely sexually assaulted. Her body was exhumed in November 2014 in order to obtain a DNA sample, which later proved insufficient for profiling. In June 2018, investigators stated they would attempt DNA extraction a second time.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office
Agency Contact Person: Quintina Glover
Agency Phone Number: 1-313-833-2504
Agency E-Mail: meohelp(at)waynecounty.com
Agency Case Number: 87-1243

Agency Name: Detroit Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Mike Russell
Agency Phone Number: 313-596-2260 or 1-800-649-3777
Agency E-Mail: Homicide@(at)detroitmi.gov
Agency Case Number: 87-1243

NCIC Case Number: U235652234
NamUs Case Number: 8272
NCMEC Case Number: 1184291

Information Source(s)
NamUs
NCMEC
WXYZ Detroit (11/10/2014)
WXYZ Detroit (6/5/18)


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On February 10, 1987 an unidentified body of a female was found in a landfill near Harper Avenue on the east side of Detroit, Michigan. The woman had been deceased less than 2 days before being found. She had been stabbed to death, her throat slit, and was likely sexually assaulted. The woman was between 16-25 years old, stood approximately 5’5″ tall, and weighed around 114 pounds. She had hazel or light brown eyes and brown hair styled in layers and recently highlighted blonde with reddish tints. Her earlobes were pierced once. She had good oral hygiene and dental care. The woman had given birth within 2 months to a year before she died. She was still lactating and had an episiotomy scar. She was found wearing two silver rings: one was a thin band with a small rope design in the middle. The second was larger with a marquee cut center clear stone in the middle with round clear stones around the sides.

In November 2014, the body was exhumed in order to obtain a DNA sample, which later proved insufficient for profiling. The facial reconstruction (above) was provided by the Michigan State Police and depicts what the woman may have looked like in life.

DNA Doe Project Status
Research in progress



NCMEC - https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMU/1184291/1/screen

NamUs - https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/8272/investigations

16 Missing Person Exclusions
 
Kinda find it a bit weird that the Doe Network announces a doe for identified before an official statement from law enforcement. I do know that her NamUs and NCMEC pages has been down since summer, but this is not the first time DN has done this, with the result that they've had to so serious backtracking.. I absolutely do hope that Harper Jane Doe has been id'ed, but will continue to wait for an official announcement from LE before popping the champagne. Same things goes with San Mateo Doe.
 
I did find it a bit weird they said IDed before even DNA Doe Project, who is actively working her case. Her other pages being down are a good indication. Hope it’s correct.
 
I did find it a bit weird they said IDed before even DNA Doe Project, who is actively working her case. Her other pages being down are a good indication. Hope it’s correct.
Speaking of the sun.. Harper Jane Doe is now a pending ID announcement on DNA Doe Project's Facebook page, so at least they have managed to identify her through genealogy! LE might have to confirm the ID through their own research, though, or maybe they are onto a lead, like they did with Mary Silvani's case. Fingers crossed!

:cheering:
 
Speaking of the sun.. Harper Jane Doe is now a pending ID announcement on DNA Doe Project's Facebook page, so at least they have managed to identify her through genealogy! LE might have to confirm the ID through their own research, though, or maybe they are onto a lead, like they did with Mary Silvani's case. Fingers crossed!

:cheering:
Looking forward to knowing her real name!
 

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