Body of woman killed in 1986 Springhill Township crash exhumed in search for identity
Nearly four decades after a woman was killed in a crash in Springhill Township, police hope a grant will help identify her.
On Monday, authorities collaborated with the Florida Institute of Forensic Anthropology and Applied Science (IFAAS) to exhume the remains of Jane Doe, who died on May 2, 1986.
This was the first exhumation conducted in the area in about a decade, said state police spokeswoman Trooper Kaylee Barnhart.
鈥淭he case was selected for review after IFAAS received a grant dedicated to resolving cases involving unidentified human remains,鈥� Barnhart said. 鈥淎 team from IFAAS traveled to Pennsylvania to assist with the disinterment and forensic recovery process.鈥�
Barnhart said the purpose of the exhumation is to identify the woman, as police do not believe her death was criminal.
The woman was a passenger in a tractor-trailer that crashed. The vehicle was driven by a man traveling from Sparrows Point, Maryland, to Richmond, Kentucky.
Police said that while a hair sample had been collected in 1986, it was insufficient for analysis.
The woman had no identification, and the driver鈥檚 family was unaware of her identity. She is believed to have been between 30 and 45 years old at the time of the crash and was described as about 5 feet 4 inches tall and 170 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Early investigative efforts included extensive interviews at local truck stops and businesses. The truck driver鈥檚 family and employer, interviewed at the time, were unaware he had a passenger.
Before being exhumed, the woman was buried in an unmarked grave at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Uniontown. Her tombstone states only her year of death and the words 鈥淕od loves her.鈥�
Following the exhumation, the woman鈥檚 remains were transported to Indiana County, where forensic anthropologists prepared DNA samples for entry into the Combined DNA Index System. Police said investigators hope her DNA may match an existing profile from a missing persons case.
鈥淚nvestigators also obtained Jane Doe鈥檚 fingerprints and dental X-rays as part of the case record,鈥� Barnhart said.
The grant funding came from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance, which awarded $1 million to the University of South Florida to create a program in Pennsylvania to help identify human remains.
According to USF鈥檚 website, the program is led by the university鈥檚 forensic anthropologist, Erin Kimmerle, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania State Coroner鈥檚 Association and Innovative Forensics.
Fayette County Coroner Bob Baker did not offer a specific timetable for when analysis would be complete.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an ongoing investigation. I hope that we can identify her through our efforts,鈥� Baker said.
Trooper Barnhardt echoed those sentiments.
鈥淚nvestigators remain hopeful that the renewed efforts and advanced technology will help identify Jane Doe and bring long awaited closure to her family and loved ones,鈥� she said.