VA FAIRFAX COUNTY JANE DOE: W/HF, 25-39, found in a shallow grave at a construction site in Centerville, VA - 6 Dec 1993 *SHARON LANE*

120UFVA - Unidentified Female


Reconstructions of Victim; victim's personal items and jewelry.

Date of Discovery: December 6, 1993
Location of Discovery: Centerville, Fairfax County, Virginia
Estimated Date of Death: 1989 to 1992; possibly as early as 1980
State of Remains: Skeletal remains
Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 25-39 years old
Race: White and/or Hispanic
Sex: Female
Height: 5'2"
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Sandy brown hair
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Fingernails were filed and had been painted a dark glossy pink. Some of the discs in her back were herniated, suggesting she had an occupation requiring heavy lifting.

Identifiers
Dentals: Available. She probably had not seen a dentist in some time, although there was evidence she cared well for her teeth at one point during life. The gap between her two front teeth was crooked and decayed, but a cosmetic filler was in place. She had an overbite, a lot of cavities and a lot of damage to her teeth, based on decay. Five molars were missing. Staining on the teeth indicated she was a smoker. Previous fillings were noted.
Fingerprints: Not Available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: The clothing found at the scene had decomposed significantly. She wore ripped women's bikini underpants with lace border, a Gigi white brassier size 34B that had been rolled up, white Huarache sandals size 8B with Native American designs including Indian head and hunter with an animal. A piece of denim jean material with Lifesaver label and zippers on the outside ankle seam, and other synthetic material was also found near the remains. The fact that she wore sandals indicated she died during warmer months.
Jewelry: Earrings with a round gold design with inlaid aqua swirls and post for pierced ears.
Additional Personal Items: White Harrith geometric Native American designs including Indian head and hunter with an animal, red hair pick, yellow banana clip, red cloth, and plastic zipper cloth. A quarter was found in the victim's pocket, dated 1980.

Circumstances of Discovery
Skeletal remains of the decent were found in a shallow grave at a construction site in Centerville. She had been stabbed repeatedly in the lower back, shoulders and neck. Her killer had attacked from behind during at least part of the murder. The woman's case was broadcast on a 1996 episode of The New Detectives.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Northern District Medical Examiners Office
Agency Contact Person: Constance Di Angelo
Agency Phone Number: 703-530-2603
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: N1993-37273

NCIC Case Number: U701892153
NamUs Case Number: 8493

Information Source(s)
Namus
The New Detectives
NCMA (archived)
Fairfax County Crime Solvers
NBC 4 (10/25/2006)

120UFVA

www.doenetwork.org

Sharon Abbott Lane

Sharon Kay Abbott Lane was a woman who was found murdered in Virginia in 1993. She was identified by Othram Inc in December 2022. Sharon Lane was raised in Indiana and had two children, her first at 16 and her second at 19. She was described as being into drugs and associated with the wrong...

unidentified.wikia.org

*CLICK THE REPORT BUTTON IF YOU'D LIKE THIS CASE MOVED TO THE GENERAL DISCUSSION AREA TO BE OPENED FOR COMMENTING.

 

[Romulus]

After 27 years, Fairfax County Jane Doe (1993) is Identified

Fairfax County Police Department Partners with Othram to Identify 1993 Jane Doe

dnasolves.com

Fairfax County Police Department Partners with Othram to Identify 1993 Jane Doe​

Almost three decades later, the identity of a woman found in Virginia remains a mystery​

Summary​

In December 1993, landscape workers in Centreville, Virginia discovered a woman’s skeletal remains in a shallow grave. The woman’s skull was the first thing that the workers noticed before uncovering the rest of the woman’s remains, along with multiple articles of clothing and accessories. Investigators estimated that the woman, who was determined to be Caucasian, had been dead for several years prior to the discovery.

Investigators were able to determine that the unknown woman was between 27 and 34 years old and stood between 5’ and 5’3” in height. Her hair was described as fairly thick, and dark blonde to light brown in color. Investigators also noted that the dental care that the woman had received was relatively poor, as many of her teeth were in an advanced state of decay. Additionally, several discs in her back were herniated.

There has been strong national and local interest in identifying the woman over the decades since her remains were discovered. Many news outlets covered the grizzly finding and subsequent investigation. The case was featured on the inaugural episode of The New Detectives, which aired in 1996. The forensic reconstruction was also shown on display in the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office on Cold Case Files in the episode titled "A Knock at the Door."

For decades, law enforcement diligently pursued various leads about the woman's identity. Her body was examined by Smithsonian anthropologists, and in 2011, the case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as case number #UP8493. Despite their exhaustive efforts, the woman’s identity has remained a mystery. With few leads for investigators to pursue, the case eventually went cold.

In 2022, the Fairfax County Police Department partnered with Othram to determine if advanced forensic DNA testing could help establish an identity for the woman or a close relative. The investigation continues as Othram begins to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the woman. Anyone with information that could aid in this investigation is encouraged to contact the Fairfax County Police Department by calling 703-246-7511 and referencing agency case #1993-3400646.

A DNASolves crowdfund has been created to raise funds for the remaining casework costs. Anyone can contribute here.

 

[ima.grandma]

Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau Cold Case Squad have solved the mystery of a woman found deceased in 1993 at the base of a cedar tree in Centreville. The woman was identified on Nov. 21 as Sharon Kay Abbott Lane. The identification was made possible through advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing provided by Othram Inc. Funding for this testing was provided by anonymous donors through DNASolves.


Othram utilized advanced Forensic Genetic Genealogy technology to identify a possible family member of Sharon. Detectives contacted the family member, which led to additional family connections across the country. Detectives combed through the names and made countless calls to track down Sharon’s immediate family. With the help of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, our detectives were able to connect with a family member, who led us to Sharon’s brother and eventually her children. A DNA sample was provided to Othram and confirmed the match.

Cold Case Victim Identified Through DNA Testing

Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau Cold Case Squad have solved the mystery of a woman found deceased in 1993 at the base of a cedar tree in Centreville. The woman was identified on Nov. 21 as …

fcpdnews.wordpress.com

Lane was missing for up to six years before her body was found in Virginia on Dec. 6, 1993, investigators said. The woman, originally from Georgia, had been missing since 1987 but was believed by her family to be living in Fairfax County.

According to investigators' reports, her body was found by landscapers in a wooded area behind the 6800 block of Sharpsburg Drive in Centreville. About three or four years after her initial disappearance, her late father received an anonymous phone call from a woman who said his daughter was dead.

Cold case murder victim identified after nearly 30 years, Fairfax County police say

The identity of a cold case murder victim was identified by Fairfax County detectives after almost 30 years.

wjla.com

 

[Guess Who]

Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau Cold Case Squad have solved the mystery of a woman found deceased in 1993 at the base of a cedar tree in Centreville. The woman was identified on Nov. 21 as Sharon Kay Abbott Lane. The identification was made possible through advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing provided by Othram Inc. Funding for this testing was provided by anonymous donors through DNASolves.


Othram utilized advanced Forensic Genetic Genealogy technology to identify a possible family member of Sharon. Detectives contacted the family member, which led to additional family connections across the country. Detectives combed through the names and made countless calls to track down Sharon’s immediate family. With the help of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, our detectives were able to connect with a family member, who led us to Sharon’s brother and eventually her children. A DNA sample was provided to Othram and confirmed the match.

Cold Case Victim Identified Through DNA Testing

Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau Cold Case Squad have solved the mystery of a woman found deceased in 1993 at the base of a cedar tree in Centreville. The woman was identified on Nov. 21 as …

fcpdnews.wordpress.com

View attachment 18402
Lane was missing for up to six years before her body was found in Virginia on Dec. 6, 1993, investigators said. The woman, originally from Georgia, had been missing since 1987 but was believed by her family to be living in Fairfax County.

According to investigators' reports, her body was found by landscapers in a wooded area behind the 6800 block of Sharpsburg Drive in Centreville. About three or four years after her initial disappearance, her late father received an anonymous phone call from a woman who said his daughter was dead.

Cold case murder victim identified after nearly 30 years, Fairfax County police say

The identity of a cold case murder victim was identified by Fairfax County detectives after almost 30 years.

wjla.com

So now was she ever reported missing? What happened to her baby and it's father? Were they together when she went missing? IF they were and he didn't report her missing, we all know where this is probably leading.

 

[ima.grandma]

In December 1993, landscape workers in Centreville, Virginia discovered a woman’s skeletal remains in a shallow grave. Detectives gathered evidence from the scene they believed belonged to the victim, including jewelry, deteriorated clothing, a red comb and a yellow barrette. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined she suffered several stab and knife wounds to the upper body. Investigators were able to determine that the unknown woman was between 28 and 39 years old and stood between 5’ and 5’3” in height. Her hair was described as fairly thick, and dark blonde to light brown in color. Investigators also noted that the dental care that the woman had received was relatively poor, as many of her teeth were in an advanced state of decay. Additionally, several discs in her back were herniated.

There has been strong national and local interest in identifying the woman over the decades since her remains were discovered. Many news outlets covered the grisly finding and subsequent investigation. The case was featured on the inaugural episode of The New Detectives, which aired in 1996. The forensic reconstruction was also shown on display in the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office on Cold Case Files in the episode titled "A Knock at the Door."

For decades, law enforcement diligently pursued various leads about the woman's identity. Her body was examined by Smithsonian anthropologists, and in 2011, the case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP8493. Despite exhaustive efforts, the woman’s identity has remained a mystery. With few leads for investigators to pursue, the case eventually went cold.

In 2022, the Fairfax County Police Department, as part of an ongoing collaboration, partnered with Othram to use advanced DNA testing to generate new leads in the case. Skeletal remains were sent to Othram's lab and a DNA extract was developed. Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® was utilized to build a comprehensive DNA profile. Otham's in-house genealogy team used genetic genealogy to produce investigative leads, which were returned to law enforcement. Detectives from Major Crimes Bureau Cold Case Squad pursued the leads, found potential relatives, and used confirmation DNA testing to determine that the unidentified woman was Sharon Kay Abbott Lane. The casework was funded by a DNASolves Crowdfund and the Othram team is grateful to everyone that contributed much needed resources.

Sharon was last heard from around 1987 and was believed to be living in Fairfax County. Approximately 3-4 years later, her late father received an anonymous phone call from a woman stating his daughter was dead. Sharon would have been 34 at the time her remains were found.

“The tragic death of Sharon Kay Abbott Lane is now closer to being solved with the help of advanced DNA testing,” said Major Ed O’Carroll of the Major Crimes, Cyber and Forensics Bureau. “Our detectives will use this new information to continue to seek justice for the victim in this case. We encourage anyone who may have known Sharon or her associates to contact our detectives.”

Detectives continue to ask for help in solving this murder. If you knew Sharon, our detectives would like to hear from you. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS 866-411-8477), and by web – Click www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”.

After 27 years, Fairfax County Jane Doe (1993) is Identified

Fairfax County Police Department Partners with Othram to Identify 1993 Jane Doe

dnasolves.com