It is a cold case which is experiencing a major breakthrough. Thanks to scientific progress and a DNA database set up after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the case of “Midtown Jane Doe” (the unknown woman from downtown) is becoming clearer. In March 2023, investigators succeeded in identifying the victim, reports NBCNews .
A body discovered in concrete
This case began when workers discovered a skeleton buried in concrete in New York (United States) in 2003. “She had been tied up with an electrical cord and the remains found were exactly as she was, in the fetal position”, according to Detective Ryan Glas. A ring with the initials “PMcG” and a small plastic soldier were also found, specifies USA Today .
After 21 years of anonymity, “Midtown Jane Doe” was finally identified as Patricia Kathleen McGlone (hence the initials on the ring). A possible breakthrough thanks to the DNA of his family, in particular of a relative who died during the attacks of September 11, 2001. After the event, the victims’ relatives transmitted their DNA to facilitate identification. Among them, a mother who lost her daughter in the attacks and who is therefore a cousin of Patricia Kathleen McGlone.
A 16 year old girl
After this discovery, investigators were able to retrace part of the life of Patricia Kathleen McGlone. The latter was 16 years old when she was murdered in 1969 by strangulation. The teenager was married and according to investigators, could have had a child. This last element could explain the presence of the little plastic soldier.
“In any investigation, and particularly in homicide investigations, the first thing you need to do is give the victim a name, because that gives you a starting point.”, explained Ryan Glas. Now that the identification is confirmed, the New York Police Department is turning its attention to the next crucial step, finding the killer.
