Reconstruction of Victim; Center: victim's shirt; Right: victim's tattoo
Identified...Identified...Identified
Reconstruction of Victim; Center: victim's shirt; Right: victim's tattoo
Date of Discovery: June 1, 1987
Location of Discovery: Knox County, Tennessee
Estimated Date of Death: Hours prior
State of Remains: Recognizable face
Cause of Death: Shot
Estimated Age: 21-30 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'4 to 5'6
Weight: 100-120 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: She had a tattoo of "BH" on her upper left arm, front; healed collarbone fracture (which didn't receive medical attention); crushed vertebrae (that likely caused back pain); left tibia secured by a metal pin; healed fracture of the fibula, secured by a metal plate manufactured by "Synthes"; horizontal surgery scar on abdomen.
Dentals: Available; Tooth #25 extracted or congenitally missing. Space between # 24 and #26 has closed. Dental radiographs and photographs
Fingerprints: Available
DNA: Available (mtDNA in FBI NMPDD)
Clothing: A Miami Dolphins football jersey with the number "32.", light blue pants,
Jewelry: Metal Bracelet, Ears were not pierced.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
The victim was killed by a shotgun on Jim Sterchi Road in North Knox County in 1987. Authorities speculated at the time that the unidentified woman and two male accomplices were attempting to trick and rob the resident on Jim Sterchi Road by faking a fight outside her front door. The woman kicked the door, awakening the resident and a visitor. The resident called police and fired one shot from a shotgun when the woman attempted to open a screen door. The two men were caught. But they were unable to identify the woman. They said they had picked her up at a Greene County rest stop just before the shooting. She remains unidentified.
Based on Isotope testing done by The Smithsonian Institution Lab, the decedent may have been from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, or Florida.
Decedent's remains are located at Knox County Regional Forensic Center
Agency Name: Knox County Regional Forensic Center
Agency Contact Person: Darinka Mileusnic-Polchan
Agency Phone Number: 865-215-8025
Agency Email: N/A
Agency Name: Knox County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: Officer Amy Dobbs
Agency Phone Number: 865-215-37057
Agency Email: [email protected]
Agency Name: Knoxville Police Department
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 865-215-7317
Agency Name: University of TN
Agency Contact Person: Dr Lee Jantz
Agency Phone Number: 865-974-4408
Agency Email: [email protected]
Agency Case Number: UT87-8F
NCIC Case Number: U170023083
NamUs Case Number: UP #1567
Knox News
NamUS
Knox Sheriff
The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Added: Prior to 2013; Last Updated: 7/19/2020
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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