BERRIEN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Michigan State Police (MSP) are teaming up with the New Buffalo Police Department in relaunching a cold case investigation.
33 years ago, police say an unidentified body washed ashore on the New Buffalo breakwater of Lake Michigan. The body was discovered on April 8, 1988.
An exhumation took place on November 9, 2021, to collect a DNA sample for CODIS entry and forensic genetic genealogy. Dental records are on file for
Exhumation of Jane Doe in Berrien County on November 9, 2021. (Photo courtesy MSP).
comparison to known missing persons, police said.
The body is described as a middle-aged female, 40 to 60 years old, approximately 5 feet, 5 inches, 175 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
She is thought to have been wearing a wig or extensions (braided), which had been pulled from the scalp.
Clothing worn was described as a pair men’s size 38 denim blue jeans with a wide double-ring type, striped cloth belt.
Underneath the jeans, she was wearing red, white, and blue shorts with full-length panty hose.
She was not wearing a top but did have on a sandy colored front-clasped, heavy-duty brassiere. She also was wearing black zippered, top ankle boots.
There was no mention of socks or underwear present.
During the autopsy, it was discovered this individual underwent a hysterectomy, as she was missing her uterus, bilateral tubes, and ovaries.
There’s also a singular scar stretching from her pelvis to naval. No other scars, marks, or tattoos were present.
A forensic examination dental health indicated the overall presence of excellent dentistry. The examining doctor noted that this individual likely did not smoke or drink alcohol excessively due to the lack of staining observed.
This same doctor also believed this individual may have come from an upper socioeconomic group based on the porcelain bridge replacing a front tooth. He indicated this type of work was considered experimental at the time, and was probably performed within the preceding five years of her death.
Anyone with information that could help identify this individual is asked to contact the MSP Niles Post at 269-683-4411 or the New Buffalo Police Department 269-469-1500.
Further Reading
This is only the latest death investigation to be reopened by police.
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that a Calhoun County cold case has been reopened thanks to the efforts of Olivet College students.
That case also occurred in 1988. More on that story can be found here.
In addition, last week, the FBI announced a reward for information on a Lansing man who was reported missing in 2017 and found dead near Lawrence in 2018.
More on that story can be found here.
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