OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Thurston County Sheriff’s office and the DNA Doe Project are asking for the public’s help to identify a woman found dead in the 80s in Olympia.
The DNA Doe Project is a nonprofit organization that uses investigative genetic genealogy for unidentified remains. The group has been working on the case since 2020 and today, they released a new facial recognition portrait done by a renowned forensic artist.
“I have been part of her research team since its inception almost four years ago, and her case has been particularly challenging,” said Eric Hendershott, team co-leader with the genealogical research team at the DNA Doe Project.
On October 19, 1981, a partial skull and three fragmented bones were found in a wooded area in Olympia. The sheriff’s office says a cross constructed of sticks and a shoestring were found near the remains.
A forensic pathologist concluded she was a white woman between 20 to 30 years old, and she likely died between 1966 and 1979.
For over 40 years, the woman’s identity has remained a mystery.
The sheriff’s office says genealogical research has revealed that the woman is of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.
“When we build back her DNA relatives, records often disappear at the grandparent or the great-grandparent level, which makes connecting the matches together very difficult,” Hendershott said. “We are hoping someone recognizes her, and we are hoping to spread the word about her case through the Jewish community. Someone knows who she is.”
If you recognize this woman or have any information that could help the DNA Doe Project identify her, please email case-tips@dnadoeproject.org or contact the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office at detectives@co.thurston.wa.us.
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