A Cold Case Cracked: Lincoln County Jane Doe Identified After Nearly 45 Years
Decades after a mysterious body was discovered in 1978, detectives have finally been able to put a name to the victim - a missing Iowa teenager.
The body, known as "Lincoln County Jane Doe," was found in the Mississippi River near Elsberry, Missouri, as revealed in a recent news release by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. An autopsy confirmed that the deceased was a White woman, estimated to be between 30 and 40 years old, who had tragically drowned. It was determined that the body had been in the river for approximately four months.
Despite limited identifying details, such as a cat's eye ring and a tattoo possibly reading "Dee," previous attempts to establish the woman's identity had been unsuccessful. Consequently, the remains were laid to rest under a headstone bearing the name "Lincoln County Jane Doe."
Fast forward to 2009, when information about the case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, eventually leading to the breakthrough in the long-standing mystery.
Breakthrough in Decades-Old Cold Case
Authorities announced a significant breakthrough in a cold case dating back to 1977. The remains of a teenager, initially thought to be a middle-aged woman, were exhumed in 2023. Anthropology experts from Southeast Missouri State University conducted analyses, revealing the true identity of the deceased.
Further testing was carried out by the genealogy team at Othram, a private DNA laboratory. Using advanced genome sequencing, a DNA profile was successfully extracted from the limited sample available.
The genealogy team at Othram utilized the DNA profile to create a comprehensive genealogical profile, leading to the identification of the individual. The Lincoln County Coroner's Office made contact with a person who believed the Jane Doe matched their missing family member from 1977.
Subsequent testing confirmed the match, revealing the identity of "Lincoln County Jane Doe" as Helen Renee Groomes, a 15-year-old girl who disappeared from Ottumwa, Iowa.
Family members, including Kevin Groomes, expressed relief and gratitude upon learning of the identification. Helen's remains were cremated following the confirmation.
Kevin shared that his sister had a tattoo with the name "Del," her boyfriend at the time, a detail that helped confirm her identity.
Lincoln County Sheriff Rick Harrell commended the collaborative efforts of SEMO, Othram, and the Coroner's Office, emphasizing their crucial roles in solving the long-standing mystery and providing closure to the Groomes family.
Authorities Continue Investigation into Groomes' Disappearance
The sheriff's office has confirmed that the investigation into the disappearance and subsequent death of Groomes is still ongoing. The authorities are actively working to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
