MS MS - Ocean Springs, Katrina Victims, 'Jane Love' 1256UFMS & 'John Mercy' 2572UMMS, Sep'05

[b741ma]

This unidentified person case is slightly unusual. I was unsure about starting this thread but they are still Does and in an added bonus both have available DNA. So here's the case information.
Jane Love - 1256UFMS

Date of Discovery: Approximately September 5, 2005
Location of Discovery: Ocean Springs, Jackson County, Mississippi
Estimated Date of Death: August 29, 2005
State of Remains: Decomposed
Cause of Death: Natural disaster - Hurricane Katrina

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 50-59 years old
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 100-150 lbs.
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Pierced ears.

Identifiers
Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Black T-shirt with University of Michigan, Ann Arbor emblazoned in gold on the front and black capri pants (size 15).
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery
About a week after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the victim's body was found between the slabs where two houses once stood south of LeMoyne Boulevard off Ascott Street.

She was buried as Jane (Love) in Machpelah Cemetery in Pascagoula in February 2006 next to another unidentified Hurricane Katrina victim. Local businesses donated the coffin and flowers.

1256UFMS

John Mercy - 2572UMMS

Date of Discovery: Approximately September 5, 2005
Location of Discovery: Ocean Springs, Jackson County, Mississippi
Estimated Date of Death: August 29, 2005
State of Remains: Decomposed
Cause of Death: Natural disaster - Hurricane Katrina

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 60-65 years old
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Unknown, but had a bald spot.
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Close-cropped mustache. Tattoo of the number "8" inside of a heart on his left forearm just above the wrist.

Identifiers
Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Unknown
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery
About a week after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the victim's body was found in a marshy area.

He was buried as John (Mercy) in Machpelah Cemetery in Pascagoula in February 2006 next to another unidentified Hurricane Katrina victim. Local businesses donated the coffin and flowers.

The Doe Network: 2572UMMS

This case will be harder to solve then other cases. I checked NamUs and I couldn't find any Katrina Victims listed. I'm assuming there families didn't bother reporting them because they thought they had been washed out to sea. I'm wondering how far away these two could of come from and if they were related in anyway.

 

[rainwaterstill]

Adding to the difficulty is that survivors literally moved to every part of the United States. Texas had thousands of people relocate there, to name just one state. Even far west states like Nevada had hundreds of Katrina refugees relocate. Many went to states where extended family ( cousins, etc.) lived.

This first link is old, but at least it is a starting point.
JusticebeServed: List of Victims of Katrina- May they be remembered

Hurricane Katrina missing states 3 people listed as missing from MS (may have increased as time went on) The comment from "Princess Shantae" is very interesting in the comments section, about a missing couple from outside New Orleans.

https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2015/08/28/no-one-knows-how-many-people-died-in-katrina

 

[Nate_Bro]

Does anyone know which 2 profiles on the Charley Project that is referring to? How far apart were they found, I can only find a location for one. Is it definitely assumed they were a couple?

I looked for other Black couples in their 50s-60s from elsewhere in the USA but didnt find anything. the only thing I can think of is that T Shirt from Michigan may or may not indicate a point of origin, but that would imply that she left Michigan voluntarily. This is the only one from within a couple years that stood out.
Sandra Juanita Welton:
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

 

[rainwaterstill]

I don't think we should suppose that they were a couple.

 

[iulia]

Jane Love and John Mercy are now on NamUs as #UP101305 and #UP101307.


Jane Love The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

John Mercy The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

 

[Triss]

Jane Love and John Mercy are now on NamUs as #UP101305 and #UP101307.


Jane Love The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

John Mercy The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Any rule outs?

 

[MarziPanda]

Sounds like a good one for genetic genealogy. It would bring some comfort to any remaining family.

 

[iulia]

Any rule outs?

Sorry, I don’t have a NamUs account and can’t see the exclusions.

 

[Myrrh]

Any rule outs?

0 rule outs for both Does in NamUs

 

[WingsOverTX]

It's sad they are still UID but their markers are lovely & speak to the goodness of the community where they were found.

@othram - are these good candidates for your valuable help?

 

[heartanium]

Both were found in Jackson County. Largest city Pascagoula.

Other nearby counties: Harrison, Hancock, Stone, George, Pearl River

 

[R. Towle]

Could the 8 inside the heart actually be the infinity symbol?

 

[Beccalicious]

Bumping

 

[heartanium]

Could the 8 inside the heart actually be the infinity symbol?

Very well could be

 

[othram]

Sounds like a good one for genetic genealogy. It would bring some comfort to any remaining family.

Indeed: Almost a decade later, Jane Love is Identified

 

[MarziPanda]

Great job Othram! RIP Tonette.

Wonder if this thread should be split into two as 'Jane Love' has been identified as Tonette but 'John Mercy' currently remains unidentified.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

WCCO's Jennifer Mayerle Shares Unforgettable Story Of Katrina Survivor

As we reflect on the 10-year anniversary of our nation's worst natural disaster, one of our own shares her story. WCCO reporter Jennifer Mayerle captured one man's heartache during Hurricane Katrina, and his determination to keep a promise to his late wife

www.cbsnews.com

I wish Hardy were still alive to see this.

 

[DS2021]

Tonette Jackson (1959-2005) - Find a Grave...

Hurricane Katrina Victim (Biloxi, Mississippi) Wife of Hardy Jackson Tonette and her husband were forced into the attic of their home in Biloxi, MS when the flood waters began to rise. Their home was then split in half and both were swept out of the home. Hardy managed to grab a tree and then...

www.findagrave.com

 

[DS2021]

Katrina Heartbreak, One Year Later

www.google.com

His tale of survival and loss touched millions of viewers across the country.

To escape the rising water, Jackson, his wife and child climbed to the roof of a house, but a 20-foot wave split the house in two.

Jackson clung to a tree and desperately held on to his wife, Tonette.

Knowing he could not swim, she told him to let her go. "She said, 'Let go. You can't hold me, and that wave," he said, unable to finish.

He watched as her body was washed away. Days later, his T-shirt still hung from the branches above.

Jackson, homeless and grief-stricken, had a promise to keep: to care for his kids and grandkids.

He picked up his family and left the devastated region hoping for a new start.

A year later, half a million residents have yet to return home, including Jackson.