Reconstructions of the victim by NCMEC, the University of South Florida and Joanna J. Hughes.
Identified...Identified...Identified
Reconstructions of the victim by NCMEC, the University of South Florida and Joanna J. Hughes.
Date of Discovery: April 14, 1985
Location of Discovery: Greenville, Greene County, Tennessee
Estimated Date of Death: 3-6 weeks prior
State of Remains: Decomposed
Cause of Death: Homicide by beating
Estimated Age: 14-20 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'4" to 5'6"
Weight: 130 to 140 lbs.
Hair: Light brown or dark blond with reddish tints, shoulder length and curly or wavy.
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Silvery pink nail polish. She had been approximately 6-8 weeks pregnant but had recently lost the pregnancy shortly before death. There was no evidence of previous childbirth. No identifiable marks noted.
Dentals: Available. She had a slight overbite. Fillings present.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Available.
Clothing: None.
Jewelry: None.
Additional Personal Items: None.
The victim was located beside southbound Jearoldstown exit to I-81 in rural Greene County by a 15-year-old fishing near exit 44. The body was found approximately 58 feet off the southbound Exit 44 entrance ramp. She was badly beaten and had also been stabbed. There was no physical evidence at the scene. An autopsy revealed that she had died from a blow to the head.
Isotope analysis indicated the victim was not originally from Tennesee but had likely been born in the Eastern part of the country and moved to the Midwest or Southwest after a few years.
At the time, there were several women found dead along the nation's busy highways. The crimes were dubbed the "Redhead Murders" due to many of the victims having reddish hair. This female is speculated to be a victim of this killer, who remains unknown today. The murders were thought to be the work of a truck driver.
Agency Name: University of Tennessee
Agency Contact Person: Lee Jantz
Agency Phone Number: 865-974-4408
Agency E-Mail: ljantz(at)utk.edu
Agency Case Number: UT85-8F
Agency Name: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Agency Contact Person: Amy Emberton
Agency Phone Number: 800-824-3463
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: Unknown
Agency Name: Texas Department of Public Safety
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 512-424-5074
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: U9401001
Agency Name: Greene County Health Department
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 423-787-5000
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: Unknown
NCIC Case Number: U151201885
NamUs Case Number: 1576
NCMEC Case Number: 1106925
NamUs
NCMEC
Texas Department of Public Safety
Joanna J. Hughes - Forensic Artist
Wikipedia
University of South Florida
Greeneville Sun
WBIR News Archive
Added: Prior to 2005; Last Updated: 11/2/18
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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