Reconstruction of the victim by NCIS in New Orleans and Tulane University; previous renderings by Dr. Emily Craig. Please note: the mandible was not recovered and the jawline depicted is an estimation, as are the various eye and hair colors.
Reconstruction of the victim by NCIS in New Orleans and Tulane University; previous renderings by Dr. Emily Craig. Please note: the mandible was not recovered and the jawline depicted is an estimation, as are the various eye and hair colors.
Date of Discovery: December 2, 1991
Location of Discovery: Hubert, Onslow County, North Carolina
Estimated Date of Death: 1-3 years prior
State of Remains: Partial skeletal
Cause of Death: Undetermined; presumed homicide
Estimated Age: 20-30 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'1" to 5'2"
Weight: Unknown, but she had a slight build.
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Possible back and/or neck problem (fusion of C2/3, slight arching in C1). Medical examiners found that the woman had a degenerative bone disease in her neck that she might not have even known about.
Dentals: Available. Upper jaw: right 3d molar erupted, left previously extracted with incompletely healed socket; tooth #8 has a facial - D composite (a tooth colored restoration for a chip in the tooth); little wear on teeth; minimal periodontal disease. Lower jaw not recovered.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.
Clothing: Gray or brown crew knit sweater with gold thread; dark blue or black stretch pants/slacks; elastic pantyhose or "long-legged" leotard. A pair of synthetic white slip-on shoes with a small bow were found nearby. Labels from Necessary Objects Limited and 1045 Paris were also observed at the scene.
Jewelry: None.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown.
The victim was located in a wooded area by local hunters near Bear Creek Road and Stewart Point Road on December 2, 1991. The hunters stumbled upon a skull while looking for raccoons.
The majority of the woman's skeleton was found 40 yards away from where hunters found the skull. Based on the clothes she was wearing, investigators believe she died in the fall or wintertime, most likely between 1989 and 1990. Her remains had been at the scene for a period of time before they were discovered.
A cause of death could not be determined because no detectable injuries could be found on the skeleton. However, because of the isolated location of the remains, authorities concluded the case was likely a homicide.
Potential leads to Florida and Texas were investigated in 2009, but proved unsuccessful towards identifying the woman.
In 2020, it was announced authorities had reopened the victim's case. Subsequently, a new reconstruction was released. Authorities believe is the most-accurate depiction of the victim. Further tests are in progress to estimate the woman's eye and hair colors, and perhaps to conduct genetic genealogy research to identify potential family members.
Police are offering up to $2,500 for information leading to the victim's identity or otherwise valuable to the case.
Agency Name: North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Agency Contact Person: Clyde Gibbs
Agency Phone Number: 800-672-7024 or 919-743-9000
Agency E-Mail: clyde.gibbs(at)dhhs.nc.gov
Agency Case Number: 91-1155
Agency Name: Onslow County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: Lt. David Evans
Agency Phone Number: 910-989-4010, 910-455-3113 or 910-989-4072
Agency E-Mail: david_evans(at)onslowcountync.gov
Agency Case Number: 2020000561
Agency Name: Onslow County Crime Stoppers
Agency Phone Number: 910-938-3273 or text 274637 (CRIMES)
Agency Case Number: 2020000561 (if texting, please send "TIP4CSJAX" before the tip.)
NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 5966
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ENC Today (7/13/08)
Added: 3/11/07; Last Updated: 2/7/20
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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