Florida authorities are looking to connect with the family of a woman whose body was found more than 40 years ago in Brevard County, hoping to learn her identity.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office connected with the DNA Doe Project in 2019 to help build a DNA profile for the woman.

Who is Jane Doe?

The backstory:

The woman's body was found in October 1980 in Brevard County, according to the DNA Doe Project. Officials said her case is being investigated as a homicide, though the woman's identity has been a mystery for more than 40 years.

Officials said the woman had previously been arrested in Pinellas County, though she reportedly gave a fake name, date of birth, and social security number. She was later found dead in Brevard County. Officials said she had been shot.

In 2019, her remains were given to the DNA Doe Project, who established a DNA profile for her.

According to the DNA Doe Project, the woman was 5' 6" tall, weighed 120 pounds, and was estimated to be between 21 and 30 years old at the time of her death.

The DNA Doe Project is encouraging anyone who recognizes this woman to contact them at case-tips@dnadoeproject.org.

Our news partners at FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported that the woman may have lived in Clearwater, Florida, in the 1970s.

Finding Jane Doe's family tree

What we know:

Teams at DNA Doe Project are using the woman's DNA to try and find her family tree and where her relatives may live. They've traced a branch to Anson, North Carolina, which is southeast of Charlotte – and nearly 8 hours from Orlando, Florida.

From there, they need the public's help. 

They've asked anyone who may have lived in Anson, North Carolina in the 70s and recognized the woman to contact DNA Doe Project via email, case-tips@dnadoeproject.org. 

"African Americans are underrepresented in the DNA databases we use, so it's been slow going," said Jenny Lecus, co-lead on the woman's case, in a prepared statement.

They're encouraging people who've taken DNA tests, through sites like Ancestry.com and 23andMe.com, to upload them to databases they use: GEDmatch.com or FamilyTreeDNA.com.

 "We really need more members of the public to upload to help us fill in the gaps and connect the dots between her genetic relatives and our Jane Doe," Lecus said in a statement.

What is the DNA Doe Project?

The DNA Doe Project is a volunteer organization that seeks to identify John Does and Jane Does – and return their remains to their families, a news release said.

They use DNA and genealogy to identify unknown persons by looking into their biological relatives.

The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office and the DNA Doe Project.