Investigators determined at that time, the still unidentified person died of “foul play” or suspicious circumstances. And had more than likely died in the late 1960s.
The Criminal Investigation Unit of the PSP submitted a DNA profile to national databases for comparison to other profiles. And the results were negative.
Then the case went cold again.
In March, the remains were submitted to Texas-based Othram, Inc. to undergo new advanced genetic genealogy testing. This was funded by the Luzerne Foundation.
Othram, Inc. provided the state troopers with possible family members of Jane “Newport” Doe. Joan Marie Dymond’s family was on the list. And they provided their DNA samples to confirm that this was the missing girl.
DNA testing has led to the identification of remains of people who died decades ago. And the science of genetic genealogy is sometimes able to track down a killer from their family tree.
Now that police know who the victim was, they are looking for her murderer.
“After 53 years, the family of Joan Marie Dymond very much deserves closure. We will do everything in our power to see that they have it,” Dougherty emphasized.
