Reconstructions of the victim.
Identified...Identified...Identified
Reconstructions of the victim.
Date of Discovery: March 10, 2007
Location of Discovery: Grand Prarie Township, Marion County, Ohio
Estimated Date of Death: 2002-2006
State of Remains: Skeletal
Cause of Death: Homicide
Estimated Age: 15-30 years old
Race: White, but possibly Hispanic or Asian
Sex: Female
Height: 5'3" to 5'9"
Weight: 100 to 150 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown, straight and short to medium length.
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown
Dentals: Available. Teeth #1, 16, 17, 32 are unerupted/impacted. One of her top teeth was fractured and chipped; however, it is undetermined when the trauma could have happened and possibly occurred after her death. All of her other teeth had been well cared for. No fillings or other obvious dental work was seen.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.
Clothing: None.
Jewelry: None.
Additional Personal Items: None.
The victim's skeletal remains were found dumped along Victory Road just south of Linn-Hipsher Road in northeast Marion County. The area is surrounded by fields.
In 2016, suspected serial killer Shawn Grate confessed to killing the victim. He claimed her name started with "D" (possibly "Dana" or "Diane") but could not remember exactly.
Grate stated she was a young woman selling magazines door-to-door with a thin build, in her early twenties and had "good teeth."
He said his mother allegedly purchased magazines from the victim but they were never delivered.
Grate later saw the victim soliciting at another location. He abducted the victim after feigning interest in buying additional magazines. He then stabbed her to death.
Isotope testing indicated the victim was was originally from the Southern United States. Authorities believe she was most likely killed between 2005 and 2006.
She was nicknamed "Vicky" by investigators. The DNA Doe Project is also working on her case.
Shawn Grate was later sentenced to death for additional murders.
Agency Name: Marion County Coroner’s Office
Agency Contact Person: Marc Comianos
Agency Phone Number: 740-383-7036
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 0702858
Agency Name: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 740-382-8244
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: Unknown
NCIC Case Number: U330020368
NamUs Case Number: 4725
NamUs
NCMEC
News 5 Cleveland
DNA Doe Project
WTVY
Ohio Attorney General
Morning News USA
The Marion Star
ABC 7 Chicago
NBC 3
Marion County Sheriff's Office
Added: 6/1/09; Last Updated: 5/24/19
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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