Identified! IL - Champaign Co., WhtFem Skeletal 220UFIL, 19-41, in cornfield, May'95 - Keri Lyn Wyant

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Bringing forward her official isotope test results which are listed in her NamUs as pdf.

RESULTS SHORT SUMMARY: Oxygen and strontium isotope values from the enamels amples of FA5-31 are consistent with a possible origin in south eastern Illinois, as well as locations in Tennessee, Missouri and Kansas. Ribbone values for δ18O were not consistent with Illinois acclimation, suggesting that the individual had been in Illinois for less than 5 years prior to death.Possible long-term residence locations for the deceased include: NE Kansas, SW Missouri, Northern Arkansas and Northern Alabama.

Link - https://www.namus.gov/api/CaseSets/NamUs/UnidentifiedPersons/Cases/5325/Documents/7893

Discussion about her dentals on first few pages of this thread seemed to be missinterpreted. From statements that she did not have lots of work done on her teeth it was assumed that she did not have good dental care, hence bad teeth. From new police reports in last two years they have stated that her teeth were in good condition, without any major restorative work ever done or needed. There was however damage or substantial staining to one lower left tooth. That damage could have been present before her death but could not be exluded to happened after.

I am a bit surprised that her wedding ring is not discussed a bit more. Jane Doe was married and as per isotopes she has moved to Illinois some short time (less than 5 years) before her death. Maybe after marriage? As both rings were still present robbery might not have been a motive... So, is this case usual one where marriage went sour?
 
Authorities identify Jane Doe from 1995 case

Champaign-County-Jane-Doe-10202020.jpg


On Tuesday, officials said the woman was identified as Keri Lyn Wyant, who was born on October 18, 1971 in Galesburg, IL. They were able to identify Wyant through genetic genealogy.

Authorities said in May 2019, the sheriff’s department was informed the producers of a TV series of true crime mysteries and the “Unknown Doe Project” were interested in helping them attempt to identify Wyant through genetic genealogy. The production team also said they would cover the cost of additional DNA extraction from Wyant’s remains.

This comes after Wyant’s remains were found outside of Thomasboro in the area of 2600 North and 1200 East in 1995. The cause of death has been withheld, but it is determined to be a homicide.

On April 30, 2020, the sheriff’s office was notified by the production team that their team of genealogists were constructing family trees and they found crossovers where multiple family trees intersected. Through that research, they were able to figure out the remains belonged to someone with the last name Wyant. The sheriff’s office investigated further and figured out Wyant’s full name and birthplace.

They were then able to learn that Wyant went to high school at Galva High School in Galva, Illinois between 1989 and 1990, but did not graduate.
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In early September 2020, the comparison confirmed Jane Doe was Keri Wyant.
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After interviewing Wyant’s parents, they were able to figure out she moved out of her parent’s home in 1985 at the age of 14 to temporarily live with other relatives. Authorities said she “then possibly moved out of her relative’s home and she reportedly stayed for a period of time in Peoria, Illinois at the ‘Southside Mission.'”
---
Between late 1985 and 1988, officers said her location was mostly unknown. However, between 1989 to 1991, they said Wyant was believed to have worked at the following businesses:
  • Gustavo’s Tacos (Galva, IL) (1989-1990)
  • Market Street Cafe (Galva, IL) (1990)
  • Hardee’s (Galesburg, IL) (1990)
  • Taco House (Galva, IL) (1990-1991)
They also listed several other jobs from other the years that ranged from other areas of Illinois to Texas.

Through speaking with one of Wyant’s previous friends, they found out she reappeared in Galesburg around February 1994. “Keri appeared to have no place to stay and was approximately seven months pregnant,” said officers. The friend took her in. She gave birth in May of that year.
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Detectives were able to identify the 1994 Henry County Fair carnival operator as Swyear Amusements. They are based in New Athens, Illinois.
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The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is looking for help with locating more information regarding Wyant. That includes a names of her friends, acquaintances, or anyone who had interactions with her. If you have any information that could help solve Wyant’s homicide, call Detective Dwayne Roelfs or Lt. Curt Apperson at the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office at (217) 384-1213.

Authorities identify Jane Doe from 1995 case | WCIA.com
 
Extra details, note year of her birth is different in this news article by one year to previous news article

===
Jane Doe identified in 1995 Central IL cold case; help needed from public
5f8f42def1b1c.image.png


Through genealogy, a team was able to construct a family tree and located Jane Doe's parents. This led to identifying the woman as Keri Lyn Wyant. Wyant was born on Oct. 18, 1972, and she would have been 23 years old when she was killed.

Her last known whereabouts were documented as working for a carnival.
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Wyant attended Galva High School in Galva in 1989 and 1990, but never graduated. She moved out of her parents' house and lived with other family members before moving to Peoria for a short time.

Investigators said she then spent some time in Little Rock, Ark., before appearing back in Illinois.

In February 1994, investigators said Wyant was seven months pregnant and had nowhere to stay, so she moved in with a friend in Kewanne. Wyant went on to have a boy.

In the summer of 1994, she left her son with a friend and joined joined Swyear amusements out of New Athens at a carnival they were operating at the Henry County Fair. The amusement company held venues at the Sangamon County Fair, Granite City Celebration and Fisher Fair before focusing on venues in Arkansas. Investigators said this was her last known whereabouts.
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The Fisher Fair usually is in July, and the sheriff's office is looking into if she would have been at the fair in 1994. Heuerman said she had no record or ties of spending time in Champaign County area. He said the amusement company could not positively confirm her employment because it did not have records of employment from that far back.
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The sheriff's office said it has since learned the son died when he was 7 years old when a vehicle hit him while riding his bicycle. Her parents told investigators they had no prior contact with Wyant after she moved out of their home in 1990.

Her timeline:
  • 1990 - spent time working for Gustavos Tacos in Galva, Ill.
  • 1990 - she also worked for a Market Street Cafe on Market Street in Galva, Ill.
  • 1990 - worked at a Hardees in Galesburg.
  • 1990-1991 - worked at a Taco House on Center Avenue in Galva.
  • 1991 - worked for a couple in Abingdon, Ill.
  • 1991 - worked for Parco Limited a franchisee company for Wendy's restaurants.
  • 1992 - worked for a company owned by Springwood Associates in New York, but worked locally in Illinois
  • 1993 - worked for Bilco Enterprises, which oversees Dunkin Donuts, including the one located on Knvoville Avenue in Peoria.
  • 1993 - worked for either BJ's or BJ restaurant on Richwoods Boulevard in Peoria.
  • 1993 - worked for I-10 gas station and restaurant in Fina, Texas for a short time.
  • 1994 - worked for Swyear amusements out of New Athens, Ill.


    Jane Doe identified in 1995 Central IL cold case; help needed from public
 
Last edited:
Detectives identified the 1994 Henry County Fair carnival operator as being Swyear Amusements based in New Athens, Ill. The company owner traced the various locations of the fair but did not remember Wyant as an employee.

Detectives ask the public to help provide names of Wyant’s friends, acquaintances, or others who interacted with her. In the last two years before her death, she likely spent time in the Little Rock, Ark., area before she returned to her last-known residence in Kewanee.

To provide information, contact Detective Dwayne Roelfs or Lt. Curt Apperson in the Criminal Investigations Division of Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, 217-384-1213.

Remains of woman who lived in Kewanee, Galesburg, Galva areas identified | OurQuadCities
 
Al Ka said:
Bringing forward her official isotope test results which are listed in her NamUs as pdf.

RESULTS SHORT SUMMARY: Oxygen and strontium isotope values from the enamels amples of FA5-31 are consistent with a possible origin in south eastern Illinois, as well as locations in Tennessee, Missouri and Kansas. Ribbone values for δ18O were not consistent with Illinois acclimation, suggesting that the individual had been in Illinois for less than 5 years prior to death.Possible long-term residence locations for the deceased include: NE Kansas, SW Missouri, Northern Arkansas and Northern Alabama.

Link - https://www.namus.gov/api/CaseSets/NamUs/UnidentifiedPersons/Cases/5325/Documents/7893

Discussion about her dentals on first few pages of this thread seemed to be missinterpreted. From statements that she did not have lots of work done on her teeth it was assumed that she did not have good dental care, hence bad teeth. From new police reports in last two years they have stated that her teeth were in good condition, without any major restorative work ever done or needed. There was however damage or substantial staining to one lower left tooth. That damage could have been present before her death but could not be exluded to happened after.

I am a bit surprised that her wedding ring is not discussed a bit more. Jane Doe was married and as per isotopes she has moved to Illinois some short time (less than 5 years) before her death. Maybe after marriage? As both rings were still present robbery might not have been a motive... So, is this case usual one where marriage went sour?
Click to expand...

Yet another one where isotopes seem to be off--it sounds like Keri had been in Illinois most of her life.
 
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