FL FL - Collier Co, WhtFem 235UFFL, 45-70, in shallow grave, Jun'78

[Tia Kennedy]

Here she is: WA - Seattle, Joyce Lee Kennedy, March 20, 1978

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Updated link: Unidentified Person Case

Ruleouts:

-- Grace M. Canto Reapp -- -- VT
MP1733 Linda Davis 01/07/1976 Rogers OK
MP17790 Joyce Kennedy 03/20/1978 King WA
MP560 Saunders Rymer 06/20/1977 Bartow GA
MP23376 Irene Van Buren 10/01/1978 Broward FL

Joyce Kennedy is my maternal Grandmother. I wonder about her everyday. I am now approaching the age that she was when she became a missing person, I always believed we would have answers by now. Thank you for helping.

 

[SurrealisticSlumbers]

This is a homicide by beating according to the Doe Network page, with blunt force trauma to the head having been the official COD, and yet the body also had signs of lacerations, even mutilation (acc. to NamUs), to the face, scalp and hands. This means that the killer probably both beat and used a knife during their attack on the decedent. The knife / weapon may have been disposed of since then. But this indicates that wherever the murder took place, there was likely some blood left behind. You can clean blood from many indoor surfaces, but oftentimes, the underlying particles are still present, particularly if it's soaked into some kind of textile or porous surface, i.e. concrete or tile.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

"Body found in glades," News-Press [Fort Myers], 4 June 1978, 1B.


"Police Probe Body Found in Grave," Miami Herald, 6 June 1978, 1B.

An investigation is continuing into the identity of a woman whose nude body was found Saturday in a shallow grave near the 21-mile marker on Alligator Alley.

The body, covered with lime, was discovered by two campers. Collier County sheriff's spokesmen said that lime speeds decomposition.

Chief Deputy Ray Barnett estimated the woman to be between 30 and 50 years old, and believes she has been dead between three and six weeks.

"Judging from bruises on her head, she appears to have died from head injuries," he said. Sheriff's officers are checking missing person reports.

Joe Kollin, "Police Hope Art Will Aid Search," Naples Daily News, 16 June 1978, 3A.

Her nude body was found buried in a shallow grave June 3 near the 21-mile marker of Alligator Alley. Although in poor condition, the body wasn't very badly decomposed -- it had been preserved by a chemical the murderer used, ironically, to destroy it.

So deputies easily were able to obtain fingerprints. They checked local files but found no match -- she apparently never was arrested here.

[...]

Chief Deputy E.G. "Chuck" Whidden of the sheriff's department today said she apparently died from a blow to her head. No bullet or stab wounds were found by the medical examiner.

Her description: white female, age 30-60, probably 50, 170-190 pounds, 5-foot-4, light brown hair.

At the time her body was found by campers in the shallow grave covered by palm fronds south of the Alley, she had been dead an estimated 2-4 weeks, Whidden said.

[...]

Whidden said the murderer apparently attempted to make sure the body never would be found. After digging the grave, he covered the soil with a lime-like substance. Then he put the body on it, put the substance on the body, then covered it with more soil. The substance apparently was supposed to "eat the body up and keep the smell down," he said. But "it worked in reverse of what the person intended." After the body was entombed without air, the substance preserved the body instead of destroying it, she said.

 

[DS2021]

From NamUs

Found buried in a shallow grave on the west bank of Highway 29, 3/10th of a mile south of Alligator Alley. Obese, decomposed, and covered with white powder (possibly lime). Extensive lacerations/mutiliation of face and scalp, and of the right hand.

 

[Bit of hope]

Must have overlooked these gruesome details. Wondering if the hand mutilation was actually defensive wounds, or to remove a tattoo or similar identifying feature?
rbbm.
"Circumstances of Recovery Found buried in a shallow grave on the west bank of Highway 29, 3/10th of a mile south of Alligator Alley. Obese, decomposed, and covered with white powder (possibly lime). Extensive lacerations/mutiliation of face and scalp, and of the right hand".

Actually this made me think about it more. Why only the right hand? If it were defensive wounds, why not on both hands? Was she tied up with the left, did she have a disabled left side?

Also I found this about her condition. A scientific read about HFI for those who are interested. With pictures of the inside of the skull of a female donor. Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna and a Question on Its Pathology: A Case Report.

Hyperostosis frontalis interna is a boney overgrowth of the inner side of the frontal bone of the skull caused by overgrowth of the endocranial surface. It is most often found in women after menopause. It is also associated with hormonal imbalance, being overweight, history of headaches, and neurocognitive degenerative conditions <demencia> . Female gender, advanced age, extended estrogen stimulation, and elevated leptin levels may also play a role. The thickening is usually confined to the frontal bone, but it can spread as far as the anterior parietal and temporal bones.

In her file they talk about possible hearing loss, this is associated with the extension of the overgrowth to other parts of the skull.

The above makes me think this lady was on the older side of the age range.