Identified! MO - Elsberry, Hatfield Landing, WhtFem 29-39, UP5295, cats eye ring, tattoo Dee, Mar'78 - Helen Renee Groomes

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Unidentified Female

Date of Discovery: March 31, 1978
Location of Discovery: Elsberry, St. Louis County, Missouri
Estimated Date of Death: 2 days to 4 months prior
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction
Cause of Death: Unknown
Physical Description

** Listed information is approximate

Estimated Age: 29-39 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'7" to 5'10"
Weight: 145-160 lbs.
Hair Color: Dark brown.
Eye Color: Light blue or gray.
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Stocky build. Well-nourished. Tattoo on her left arm of the name "Dee" between her left wrist and elbow.
Dentals: Available. Her teeth were in good condition.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Not available.
Clothing & Personal Items

Clothing: Beige bra.
Jewelry: Cat's eye ring worn on her left hand.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
Case History

The victim's body was found near the Hatfield Landing on the Mississippi River near Elsberry.
Investigating Agency(s)

If you have any information about this case please contact;Agency Name: Lincoln County Coroner's Office
Agency Contact Person: Kelly Walters
Agency Phone Number: 636-528-5087
E-Mail
Agency Name: Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: Detective Sgt. Mike Merkel
Agency Phone Number: 636-528-8546
Agency Name: Missouri State Highway Patrol
Agency Contact Person: Missing Persons Clearinghouse
Agency Phone Number: 573-526-6178

Agency Case Number: A78-93
NCIC Case Number: U642911965
NamUs Case Number: UP #5295
Former Hot Case Number: 1737
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.
Information Source(s)

NamUs
Missouri State Highway Patrol
 

881UFMO - Unidentified Female​

NO IMAGE


Date of Discovery: March 31, 1978
Location of Discovery: Elsberry, St. Louis County, Missouri
Estimated Date of Death: two days to four months prior
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction
Cause of Death: Unknown

Physical Description​

Estimated Age: 29-39 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'7" to 5'10"
Weight: 145 to 160 lbs.
Hair Color: Dark Brown.
Eye Color: Light blue or gray.
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Stocky build. Well-nourished. Tattoo on her left arm of the name "Dee" between her left wrist and elbow.

Identifiers​

Dentals: Available. Her teeth were in good condition.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Not available.

Clothing & Personal Items​

Clothing: Beige bra.
Jewelry: Cat’s eye ring worn on her left hand.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery​

The victim's body was found near the Hatfield Landing on the Mississippi River near Elsberry.

Investigating Agency(s)​

Agency Name: Lincoln County Coroner's Office
Agency Contact Person: Kelly Walters
Agency Phone Number: 636-528-5087
Agency E-Mail: kwalters@lcmo.us

Agency Name: Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
Agency Contact Person: Detective Sgt. Mike Merkel
Agency Phone Number: 636-528-8546
Agency Case Number: A78-93

NCIC Case Number: U642911965
NamUs Case Number: UP #5295
Former Hot Case Number: 1737

Information Source(s)​

NamUs
Missouri Highway Patrol
 
The decedent was wearing a cat’s eye ring and she had a tattoo of the name “Dee” on her left forearm. Despite their extensive efforts, authorities were unable to identify the woman and her remains were interred in the Troy, Missouri city cemetery.

In 2024, Southeast Missouri State University teamed with Othram in the Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could assist in finally identifying Lincoln Jane Doe. Othram will use Forensic-Grade Genomic Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile which will be used by Othram’s in-house genealogy team to develop investigative leads to return to law enforcement.
 
Interesting. According to the Othram page, the new analysis of her remains in 2023 revealed that she was probably in her late teens when she died, which is very different to the 29-39 estimate given presumably at the time in 1978. I wonder if perhaps the bad estimate threw off attempts to identify her at the time if her loved ones dismissed the possibility on account of the differing ages. I wonder which estimate will be more accurate. My guess is the more recent estimate, but only DNA identification will tell us for sure.
 

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