Reconstructions of the victim by NCMEC, Sgt. Don Stahl, Judy Reimer, previous renderings; footlocker containing remains.
Reconstructions of the victim by NCMEC, Sgt. Don Stahl, Judy Reimer, previous renderings; footlocker containing remains.
Date of Discovery: August 24, 1982
Location of Discovery: Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland
Estimated Date of Death: Early spring 1982; she may have died up to 10 years prior.
State of Remains: Skeletal
Cause of Death: Homicide
Estimated Age: 17-45 yrs
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'2' to 5'6"
Weight: 100 to 130 lbs.
Hair: Dark brown, wavy and medium length. Natural color may have been reddish-brown.
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Previous back and feet injuries; spondylolysis present. She may have been a dancer or gymnast, based on heavy wear on pelvis.
Dentals: Available. Extensive dental procedures, some of which are consistent with those performed by dental students. Including two crowns on left front teeth, a root canal and numerous fillings. She had one gold-filled tooth on the right upper side and several silver fillings.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Insufficient DNA for profiling.
Clothing: None.
Jewelry: None.
Additional Personal Items: Dark-colored towel.
The victim was located by mushroom hunters in a steamer trunk (footlocker) located off a gravel roadway in Gambrills State Park, in Frederick, Maryland on August 24, 1982. The trunk had leaves and sticks scattered over it but it was not hidden.
She is known as the "Cheerleader in the Trunk" or "Woman in the Trunk" by investigators.
Her case has been featured on the television programs The New Detectives and Final Justice, although this media attention failed to identify the victim.
Agency Name: Maryland Chief Medical Examiner
Agency Contact Person: Joe Mullin
Agency Phone Number: 410-333-3250
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 82-01607
Agency Name: Frederick Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Det. Kevin Forrest or CST Sabrina Swann
Agency Phone Number: 301-600-2100
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 1982-12633
NCIC Case Number: U759825015
NamUs Case Number: 7477
NCMEC Case Number: 1107673
NamUs
City of Frederick
NCMEC
Original NCMEC poster (archived)
Hellbeasts - A Blog About Crime and Injustice (archived)
WUSA9 (archived)
Frederick News Post (1/83; 9/82)
Washington Post (1/03)
NBC 4 (5/11/05)
The New Detectives
Added: Prior to 2006; Last Updated: 2/25/20
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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