Pollen provides crucial new clue in 1976 cold case murder
WOODLAWN, Md. --After 40 years, police may finally have a break in a Baltimore County cold case known as the Woodlawn Jane Doe,reports CBS Baltimore.
Police now believe the unidentified woman, whose body was found by police on September 12, 1976, may have been from Boston. Recently analyzed pollen found on her clothing, a blend of cedar and mountain hemlock, has led investigators to the Arnold Arboretum in Boston.
"We found the mountain hemlock and cedar plant, and it still has the tag on it from when it was planted in 1969," said Baltimore County homicide detective Dave Jacoby said.
Investigators are now focusing on people who may have spent time in both Woodlawn, Md., and near the arboretum at the time of the murder.
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 cemetery. Farm seed bags that covered her head may support the detectives' Boston theory -- they're from a brand that was only sold in Massachusetts.
Jacoby says detectives are turning to the public for help in the decades-old case.
"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.
Anyone with information is asked to call Baltimore Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. Tipsters can remain anonymous if they prefer.