A decades-old cold case is one step closer to being solved after law enforcement identified the victim who was found dead in unincorporated Seneca, Illinois, in 1976.
On Oct. 2, 1976, the body of a Black woman between the ages of 15-27 was found by a local farmer in a ditch along U.S. Route 6 near Holderman Hill.The Grundy County Coroner's Office said the victim had been shot in the head and left in a rural area.After time passed with no significant leads, the victim, who was known as Jane Seneca Doe, was buried in an unmarked grave at the Braceville-Gardner Cemetery on Thanksgiving Day 1976.In 2017, the case was reopened by the coroner's office.
Her remains were exhumed in December 2018 and in 2019, the coroner partnered with the DNA Doe Project to use modern-day forensic science techniques and technology to identify her.She was identified as JoAnn ‘Vicky’ Smith of Cincinnati, Ohio. Officials said most didn't know she existed because she was adopted. Her brother said both of Vicky's families are processing the bittersweet feelings."This has really been very hard on our family over the years of not knowing what happened.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Victim in 1976 Illinois cold case identified as JoAnn ‘Vicky’ SmithA decades-old cold case is one step closer to being solved after law enforcement identified the victim who was found dead in unincorporated Seneca, Illinois, in 1976.
Read more »
Stags Leap winemaker who scored 1976 ‘Judgment of Paris’ win dies at 95Stag’s Leap, the Napa Valley winery that Warren Winiarski co-founded and led for more than 35 years, confirmed his death Sunday evening.
Read more »
Denver PrideFest 2024 grand marshal applied for 1st parade permit in 1976Micah Smith joined the station in December 2018 and is Denver7's Social Equity Reporter
Read more »
Tested: 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera and 912EIt comes in all sizes, from a gentle 86 horsepower to a turbocharged 234.
Read more »
Illinois Schedule Preview, Aug. 31: Fighting Illini Faces Eastern IllinoisThe Illinois Fighting Illini are taking on the Eastern Illinois Panthers in Week 1 of the upcoming season
Read more »
Illinois teen drivers need an exclusive DMV appointment — and there's only 1 way to get it12 Illinois DMV locations will offer specific teen hours, according to the Illinois Secretary of State.
Read more »