Watch CBS News

New Evidence Could Bring Answers In 40-Year-Old Cold Case

WOODLAWN, Md. (WJZ) -- After 40 years, police may finally have a break in a Baltimore County cold case. Known as the Woodlawn Jane Doe, the victim and killers are still unknown.

Tracey Leong explains how new evidence could bring answers.

The young woman was murdered four decades ago. Her body was dumped near a Woodlawn cemetery. New evidence shows she could be from Boston.

The 1976 Woodlawn Jane Doe case is finally getting a break thanks to recently analyzed pollen found on her clothing--a blend of cedar and mountain hemlock.

"Narrow down an area we suspected she visited or was from in this country," said Dave Jacoby, Baltimore County homicide detective.

Detective Jacoby believes the pollen is connected to the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, allowing investigators to narrow down the search and question people who could have been in that area 40 years ago.

"We found the mountain hemlock and cedar plant, and it still has the tag on it from when it was planted in 1969," Jacoby said.

Pictures show what the young woman may have looked like--short brown hair, possibly in her 20s and a tattoo with the letters "JP" on her right arm.

Her neck and hands were bound. Police believe she was sexually assaulted and strangled.

The body was wrapped in a white sheet and dumped near a Woodlawn cemetery on Dogwood Road.

Farm seed bags found covering her head only sold in Massachusetts are also reinforcing the Boston theory.

Detectives are now turning to the public for their cooperation to close a case that has haunted them for 40 years.

"I think there is someone out there that knows who this young lady is, I think there's someone who knows who is responsible for disposing of this body," said Jacoby.

If you have any information, you are asked to call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. You can remain anonymous.

The Woodlawn Jane Doe was found by police on September 12, 1976.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.