The Toledo, Ohio Police Department has announced that The Porchlight Project will be providing funding to help identify a Toledo Jane Doe who was found nearly 40 years ago.
TPD says on June 16, 1987, the body of a young woman was found behind an auto repair shop on Collingwood Blvd. near I-75. Her body was wrapped in a pink-colored cloth and she was wearing Jordache jeans.
Officials say she had been dead for at least several days when she was found. It also appeared that her body was set on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence.
The woman was described as the following:
- Estimated 16 to 20 years old
- 5′4″ to 5′7″ tall
- Weighed about 110 pounds
- Short-cropped strawberry blonde hair
- Toenails painted pink
- Five piercings in each ear with small, round pearl earrings
In order to help identify the woman, TPD Detective Jason Mussery requested funding for new DNA testing and genetic genealogy from The Porchlight Project, an Ohio nonprofit that raises money to help solve cold cases.
TPD says The Porchlight Project has agreed to 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,” said Nic Edwards, a spokesperson for The Porchlight Project. “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.”
If you have any information about this case, contact the Toledo Police Department Investigative Services Bureau at 419-245-3142.