How New Technology Helped Identify Woman Killed and Buried Near Everglades 46 Years Ago

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — After 46 years of mystery, investigators have identified the name of a woman whose remains were found near a remote dirt road. Using modern DNA technology, detectives determined she was Joan Shirley Joyce Waters, killed in 1978 just a half-mile south of Alligator Alley in Collier County.

The woman's skeletal remains were discovered with blunt force trauma in a shallow grave. The case had been lying dormant due to lack of evidence until advances in forensic genetic genealogy led to a breakthrough.

“We built a DNA profile and used that profile to do what people call forensic genetic genealogy,” said David Mittelman, CEO of Othram, whose company specializes in forensics.

Mittelman explained: “His relatives who are still alive today… If someone, even remotely, is linked to him in a database, then we can piece together the clues from public records, family trees and genetic profiles.”

The collaboration between Othram, the FBI and the Collier County Sheriff's Office successfully located Joan Waters' family. Even though she was not reported missing.

Collier County Sheriff's Office Detective William Still said he spoke to Joan Waters' brother when they finalized the marriage.
“And his sister, he hadn't heard from her since, he didn't know what happened. The last time he saw her was in the early '70s,” Still said.

Despite the identification of Joan Waters, Detective Still said the case remains open as they work to confirm the person responsible for Joans' murder.

“I can tell you that this person is no longer a threat. The only person we're looking for right now is deceased,” Detective Still said. “But there's still a little bit of work to do before we can say this case is definitely solved,” he added.

Meanwhile, Othram is discovering new cases every week. While the exact circumstances of Joan's death may never be known, Mittelman says helping identify the victims gives the family some closure.

“It’s terrible to die and be murdered, but it’s even worse that your family doesn’t even know that something happened to you,” Mittelman said. He added, “Being able to provide answers, even if we can’t make it right, means a lot to us.”