Unsolved Grundy County murder victim Jane Seneca Doe identified through DNA technology nearly 50 years later as JoAnn “Vickie” Smith

GRUNDY COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) — Grundy County authorities have identified a woman found murdered nearly 50 years ago.

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Since her body was found, authorities have dubbed her “Jane Seneca Doe.” Her body was found on October 2, 1976, along U.S. Highway 6 near Holderman Hill, near Seneca, Illinois.

The victim was identified Thursday as JoAnn “Vickie” Smith, Grundy County officials said at an afternoon news conference.

Authorities said she was found with a gunshot wound to the head.

Efforts to identify him at the time failed and no suspects were ever arrested.

“At one point, everyone worked on this case,” said Margaret Press, founder of the DNA Doe Project. “She was at the top of my list of cases that I wanted to see identified. »

Smith was buried in an unmarked grave in the Braceville-Gardner Cemetery on Thanksgiving Day in 1976.

Now, 48 years later, new DNA technology and an extensive family tree have finally helped give the murder victim a real name.

“The team really thought she would be identified last summer once her grandparents were identified,” said Eric Hendershott, head of the case team. “However, it was only after he made contact with his birth family that adoption was suspected.”

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“It is an honor for all of us to say her name, Vickie Smith, and know that she is on her way back,” said Pam Lauritzen, executive director of media and communications for the DNA Doe Project.