MI LAKE MICHIGAN JANE DOE: F, 20-60, found against Lake Michigan break wall in Manistee, MI - 24 Oct 1997 *DOROTHY RICKER*

On October 24, 1997 the body of a woman of uncertain race was found in Lake Michigan against the break wall in Manistee, Michigan. The woman was 5’11” and weighed approximately 200 lbs. The post mortem examination revealed she had an appendectomy scar and an orthodontic bracket for her upper central incisors (front teeth). Her ears were pierced, and she was wearing one clear stone earring. The woman, who was between 20 and 60 years old, died a number of weeks before being found.

DNA Doe Project Status: Research in Progress

Lake Michigan Jane Doe 1997 - DNA Doe Project

The DNA Doe Project is researching a case of a female found in Manistee, Michigan. Follow our website to see updates.

dnadoeproject.org

851UFMI

Dentals: Available. Orthodontic bracket to 8 and 9.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Samples submitted - Tests not complete.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Obese female found in Lake Michigan, against the break wall in Manistee, Michigan.

Sex: Female
Race / Ethnicity: Uncertain
Estimated Age Group: Adult
Estimated Age Range (Years): 20-60
Estimated Year of Death: 1997
Estimated PMI: Weeks
Height: 5' 11"(71 inches) , Measured
Weight: 200 lbs, Estimated
Body Hair Description: Dark brown pubic hair

Piercing: Ears
Scar/mark: Appendectomy

Jewelry: One clear stone earring


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[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Woman who drowned in Lake Michigan in 1997 identified after 25 years as missing Chicago woman

A woman who drowned in Lake Michigan 25 years ago has been identified as a woman reported missing from Chicago.

www.fox2detroit.com

Woman who drowned in Lake Michigan in 1997 identified after 25 years as missing Chicago woman​

Almost a quarter of a century ago, a 26-year-old woman's body washed up on the shore of Lake Michigan in Manistee County. Now authorities have finally been able to identify who the woman was.

Michigan State Police said Dorothy Lynn (Thyng) Ricker died by an accidental drowning in 1997. Her body was found naked and on the shore in Manistee County on Oct. 27, 1997.

According to MSP, troopers found the woman wearing a single earring. That was the only identifying item the woman had and, for years, police sought leads about who the woman was. The cause of death was determined to be drowning and was ruled an accident.

In 2020, after 23 years, detectives from the MSP Cadiallace Post and the MSP Missing Persons Coordination Unit reexamined the case and exhumed her remains. During that exhumation, fresh samples were taken and submitted to Astrea Forensics under the DNA Doe Project for Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG).

A year later, a possible match was identifed and sent to MSP for vetting. The The possible connection linked the unidentified human remains to the Thyng family in Acton, Maine. Ultimately, authorities were able to locate a possible brother and daughter of Ricker. Her daughter was living in Chicago and a sample from her daughter was obtained.

Unfortunately, the woman's remains were deteriorated and required another sample to be taken from the bones.

In December 2022, the woman positively identified as Ricker, who had last been seen in Wisconsin on Oct. 2, 1997.

On Oct. 7, 1997, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ran an article about Ricker who was reported missing. At that time, boaters in St. Francis reported a body in the lake but it disappeared into the water before police could find it. That article said Ricker was upset with family members who tried to get help for her mental health.

The article continues and says around 8 a.m. on Oct. Thursday, Oct. 2, 1997, Ricker ran out of gas and was given a ride by a Waukesha County Sheriff's Deputy. The deputy also gave her $10 for gas. Later that same day was when she was spotted sitting on a Lake Michigan beach in St. Francis, just south of Milwaukee. Police in St. Francis briefly talked to her and she told police she was "enjoying the lakefront and the sun."

At that time, she was not yet reported missing and police said nothing appeared abnormal. The next day, her abandoned vehicle was found nearby and it came back to a "missing/endangered person" entered by the Chicago Police Department.

MSP said it was grateful to close the case and bring some closure to the family.