DNA Testing Begins in Toledo Cold Case

On June 16, 1987, the body of a young woman was discovered behind an auto repair shop on Collingwood Boulevard near Interstate 75. It appeared that she had been dead for at least several days. At the time she was found her body was wrapped in pink-colored cloth, similar to a blanket, and she was wearing Jordache jeans. Her toenails were painted pink and she had five piercings in each ear, with small, round pearl earrings. She had short-cropped strawberry-blonde hair and is estimated to have been 16 – 20 years old, 5’4” – 5’7” in height, weighing about 110 pounds. It appeared someone had set fire to her body in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Despite these clues and identifying characteristics, this young woman has never been identified.

Recently, Detective Jason Mussery of the Toledo Police Department requested funding for new DNA testing and genetic genealogy from The Porchlight Project, an Ohio nonprofit that raises money to help resolve cold cases in the state. The Porchlight Project will fully-fund the initiative and will contract with Othram for testing and genealogy.

“The Toledo Police Department has never given up on giving this young woman her name,” says Porchlight Project spokesman, Nic Edwards. “There have been several missing persons that have been officially excluded as a match over the years. We hope to finally provide a positive identification. I believe this young woman’s parents and siblings are still alive and I’m sure they’re heartbroken, not knowing where she has been all this time.”

“Othram is honored to support the Toledo Police Department and The Porchlight Project in their efforts to identify this young woman,” says Othram CEO David Mittelman. “With today’s modern DNA technology, no one should remain unidentified, and we are hopeful that we can finally help give her a name and provide answers to her family after decades of uncertainty.”

If you have any information about this case, please contact the Toledo Police Investigative Services Bureau at 419-245-3142.