The Lost and the Found

https://identifyus.org/en/cases/9736

NamUs UP # 9736

ME/C Case Number: FMSP 84-269
Orange County, New York
30 to 55 year old White Female

Case Report - NamUs UP # 9736
Case Information
Status Unidentified
Case number FMSP 84-269
Date found May 13, 1984 12:45
Date created January 04, 2012 10:19
Date last modified January 27, 2017 10:02
Investigating agency
date QA reviewed January 05, 2012 05:20

Local Contact (ME/C or Other)
Agency Orange Cnty Medical Exam Ofc
Phone 845-615-3870
Case Manager
Name Daryl Haberneck
Phone 845-782-8311

Demographics
Estimated age Adult - Pre 40
Minimum age 30 years
Maximum age 55 years
Race White
Ethnicity
Sex Female
Weight (pounds) , Cannot Estimate
Height (inches) 60, Estimated
Body Parts Inventory (Check all that apply)
All parts recovered
Body conditions
Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction
Probable year of death 1982 to 1983
Estimated postmortem interval 0 Years

Circumstances
Location Found
GPS coordinates 41.317222,-74.055278
Address 1 State Route 6
Address 2
City Central Valley
State New York
Zip code
County Orange
Circumstances
Subjects remains were found by a hiker in a densley wooded, swampy area.

Physical
Hair color Gray or Partially Gray
Head hair
Natural grey died brunette

Fingerprints
Status: Fingerprint information is currently not available

Clothing on body
Grey cotton jersey short and light colored bra (34"-36")

Jewelry
one earring(pierced) yellow gold with diamond stud, one thin necklace 14K gold, engagement ring - 14K white gold, size 6.25, with "European" center cut 1.1 carat diamond with 3 smaller diamonds on each side, and a 14K gold mother rings - aqua, ruby and missing stone.

Dental
Status: Dental information / charting is available and entered

DNA
Status: Sample submitted - Tests complete

Harriman State Park

US Route 6 - New York at Orange County

https://dnasolves.com/articles/orange-county-1984/

On Mother's Day 1984, the skeletal remains of a murdered woman were discovered by a hiker in a densely wooded, swampy area in the Orange County section of New York's Harriman State Park. The murder victim was a white woman presumed to be in her late 30's, with natural gray hair and traces of blonde or brunette dye. She was about 5' tall and there was evidence of extensive dental work. Investigators noted several distinct pieces of jewelry that the woman was wearing including a diamond stud pierced earring and a thin, delicate 14-karat yellow gold necklace. The woman was also wearing two rings on her right ring finger: a 14-karat white gold engagement right with a diamond center, and a 14-karat yellow gold mother's ring, which had aqua and ruby stones, and a third stone missing.

Through an autopsy, investigators determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound and the death was therefore classified a homicide. There were few other clues at the crime scene and her description did not match the records of missing persons in the area. The case was entered into NamUs as UP9736, but with leads exhausted, the case eventually went cold.

In March 2021, as part of a collaboration between the New York State Police (NYSP) and the FBI, forensic evidence from the unknown woman was sent to Othram with the hope that advanced DNA testing might produce new leads to the woman's identity or to the identity of a close family member. Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the murdered woman. This profile was delivered back to law enforcement so that it could be used in a genealogical search. The FBI investigative team conducted research resulting from the DNA profile created by Othram and provided an investigative lead to to the New York State Police.

In September 2022, additional DNA testing with a possible family member confirmed the woman’s identity. Investigators have not yet released the name or photo of the murdered woman because a homicide investigation is currently in process. Investigators are, however, asking for anyone that might know something about this case to contact the New York State Police ( 1-845-782-8311) and to reference agency case number FMSP 84-269.