Fond du Lac County's 'Jane Doe' will be exhumed; new facial reconstruction released

WAUPUN – Nearly 10 years after the body of an unidentified woman was found in a frozen creek in the town of Ashford, authorities will exhume the remains for scientific testing. 

The body, known as "Jane Doe," was kept in the Fond du Lac County morgue for three years before it was laid to rest at Cattaraugus Cemetery in Waupun just before Christmas 2011.

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office released a new facial reconstruction on Monday, made with the assistance of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, or NCMEC.

The decision to make an updated facial composite came after the NCMEC reviewed the case. The organization invited Detectives Ryan Murphy and Pete Vergos to present the case to a panel of national investigators and a forensic anthropologist in November of 2016. The goal was to receive tips on tactics, such as developing investigative leads. 

It was recommended a new composite be created, "as the technology and techniques have advanced significantly since it was originally completed in 2009."

The group — as well as the forensic anthropologist working with the sheriff's office — also recommended that the body be exhumed, which will be done Thursday. 

"The science is getting to be more recognized and as people are recognizing it, they are bringing it to us," said Vergos, who has been on the case since mid-2016. "We heard of some cases that had gotten results and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children brought some of those to life for us."

Through the exhumation, forensic anthropologists will be able to "examine her remains and focus on specific features unique to Jane Doe" that could assist in finding her, according to a news release from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office. The body also will undergo chemical isotope analysis, which investigators may be able to use to determine where she lived. 

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Found throughout the environment, isotopes are either stable and do not change over time, or are radioactive and decay. Through comparing isotopes, investigators may determine key facts such as age and diet — as well as where they spent “the last 20 to 25 years of their life,” according to Simon Fraser University's website. 

While the identity of the person can't be found from the isotopes, geographical information may allow investigators to narrow their search. 

Other tests, including DNA phenotype testing, which can predict eye, skin and hair color, as well as genetic ancestry and face shape may also be performed.

Depending on the quality of the remains, Vergos said it can take anywhere from six to nine months to get results, and said he will know more after meeting with the scientist in charge.

"To get anywhere in the investigation, the first thing we have to do is identify this girl. I really hope we can make it happen and start working on what happened to her," said Vergos. 

Trying to identify Jane Doe

Fond du Lac's Jane Doe is one of eight unidentified cases in Wisconsin, according to the Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children & Adults. It is the only one in Fond du Lac County. 

Jane Doe was founded partially submerged in a frozen creek behind W4617 Skyline Drive in the town of Ashford by three hunters on the morning of Nov. 23, 2008, according to Fond du Lac Reporter archives. 

Investigators came to the site, working in cold temperatures, to extract her body from the water, while also searching the creek for clues. Few were found. 

Jane Doe is believed to Caucasian, but may also be of Native American, Asian or Hispanic descent according to the sheriff's office. While no tattoos, scars, visible wounds or makings were found, it was determined that Jane Doe weighed 120 pounds, and was about 5 feet 1 inch tall, according to the news release. Her hair, 12 to 14 inches in length, was light brown or dark blonde. 

Studies of her teeth and skull found that she had four fillings on lower molars, sealants on four upper molars and no cavities. Forensic anthropologist Leslie Eisenberg said she was pigeon-toed, knock-kneed or both.  

It is believed she was about 15 to 21 years old at the time of death, which, due to insects found in her body, was placed between July and September 2008. She was wearing a strapless Zoey Beth black and pink top which tied into a pink bow in the back, as well as a pink bra and Angels blue jeans. On her wrist was a hair tie-like band.

While the cause of death is not known, investigators deemed the case a homicide and began combing through what became hundreds of leads.

A mannequin was dressed in her clothing and a computer-generated image was made and distributed. The sheriff’s office fought for Jane Doe to have a Facebook page to spread her picture and information — "Finding Jane Doe." Her DNA and dental information were placed in a nationwide database and she appeared on “America’s Most Wanted.”

Records continued to be checked routinely against databases for missing persons and others, according to the press release. Currently, Vergos said detectives are receiving "a couple of tips a week" not counting the ones that they search for on their own. 

"In releasing this new facial reconstruction, the sheriff's office hopes someone recognizes the new image and takes the time to report a tip," the news release stated. "It only takes one person to recognize her and assist us in reuniting her with her loved ones."

Those with information can contact the Fond du Lac County Sheriff Tip Line at 920-906-4777; the NCMEC Tip Line at 1-800-THE-LOST; Detective Ryan Murphy at 920-929-3380; or Detective Pete Vergos at 920-929-3384.