Crime Junkie - 16 year old NYC Jane Doe's Name is Discovered
In 2003, construction workers discovered a skeleton encased in concrete in a New York City basement. The remains were identified as a young woman, aged 15-21, who had been hog-tied and possibly strangled. Despite extensive efforts, including forensic analysis and genealogy research, her identity remained unknown for years. The investigation revealed she might have been a runaway involved in sex work, but new evidence suggested she was Patricia McClone, a Brooklyn teenager who disappeared in 1969. Patricia was never reported missing, and her life was marked by family complexities and a possible pregnancy. Her supposed husband, Donald Grant, listed on her marriage license, was found to be a fabricated identity. The case remains unsolved, with investigators seeking more information about Patricia's life and the mysterious Donald Grant.
Key Points:
- A skeleton was found encased in concrete in a NYC basement in 2003, identified as a young woman aged 15-21.
- Forensic analysis suggested she was hog-tied and possibly strangled, with no initial identification possible.
- Genealogy research identified her as Patricia McClone, a Brooklyn teenager who disappeared in 1969.
- Patricia's life was marked by family complexities, a possible pregnancy, and a fabricated marriage to 'Donald Grant.'
- The case remains unsolved, with investigators seeking more information about Patricia and the mysterious Donald Grant.
Details:
1. ðĩïļââïļ Discovery and Mystery of Midtown Jane Doe
1.1. Discovery of Midtown Jane Doe
1.2. Investigation and Uncovering Connections
2. ð Investigation Begins: Uncovering the Past
- Construction workers discovered a large, rectangular concrete slab in a basement, which upon breaking open revealed human remains encased within.
- The slab measured approximately 6 feet wide and 5 feet long, indicating a deliberate effort to conceal the body.
- Detective Gerard Gardner and forensic experts determined this was a homicide, as the victim was hog-tied with pantyhose and an electrical cord around the neck.
- The state of the remains suggests the body was placed deliberately, possibly with cement poured over it as if creating a foundation.
- The case presents unique challenges as skeletal remains are rare in New York City homicides, requiring specialized forensic investigation.
3. ðĶī Forensic Clues: Piecing Together the Identity
- The victim's bones were in poor condition, with surfaces peeling, complicating identification.
- Clues found include long fingernails, a tan bra, and glittery fabric with red and yellow sequins, suggesting a female victim.
- Anthropological analysis indicated the victim was aged 15 to 21, with unfused collar bones and partially emerged wisdom teeth.
- Jewelry found included a 1966 watch and a signet ring with the initials PMcG, aiding potential identification.
- The victim was a young Caucasian female, approximately 4'10" to 5'4", with reddish-brown hair, narrow face, and petite build.
- Expensive dental work was noted on her back teeth, while her front teeth showed signs of neglect, suggesting a change in her care situation.
- The area where the body was found is known for drug and sex work, attracting vulnerable runaways.
- Historical items found with the remains, including a dime from 1969 and pieces of a Sears brand bag, help establish a timeline.
- The presence of animal activity and mixed items like a toy soldier suggest she was buried in an environment with ongoing disturbances.
4. ðĪ Suspicions and Dead Ends in Investigation
4.1. Crime Scene Analysis
4.2. Victim Identification Efforts
5. ðĩïļââïļ Theories and Potential Leads
- Joel Rifkin, a confessed serial killer, claimed responsibility for 17 murders, primarily targeting sex workers, but was only convicted for nine. His varied methods of body disposal, including encasing parts in concrete and using waterways, complicated investigations.
- Rifkin's known methods differed from the current case, as he never concealed bodies indoors, marking a deviation from the ongoing investigation's findings.
- A critical error in dating a clothing label at the crime scene misled the investigation by decades, impacting the victim's presumed timeline.
- Despite a facial reconstruction being publicized on America's Most Wanted, the victim remained unidentified, highlighting challenges in recognition and public engagement.
- In 2011, a possible connection emerged when a woman suspected the victim was her sister, Judy O'Donnell, who disappeared in 1980. The case shared similarities with the Midtown Jane Doe, including living circumstances and history.
- Despite these similarities, dental records did not confirm Judy O'Donnell as the victim. A ring with initials matching Judy's grandmother suggested a personal link, but remained unresolved.
- Overall, the investigation faced significant challenges due to misdated evidence and the lack of definitive identification, underscoring the complexity of solving cold cases.
6. 𧎠Breakthrough in the Case: DNA and Genealogy
- After extensive efforts, a viable DNA profile was finally obtained in 2015 from Midtown Jane Doe's degraded remains, allowing for further analysis.
- Despite initial setbacks, by 2016 it was confirmed that Jane Doe was not Judy O'Donnell.
- The DNA sample was too small for comprehensive analysis and could only be used for direct comparison in CODIS.
- In 2017, a renewed investigation using isotope analysis suggested Jane Doe was from the Midwest, but this did not significantly narrow down her identity.
- Detective Glass, assigned to the case in 2022, brought a fresh perspective, challenging previous assumptions about Jane Doe's identity and timeline.
- Asraa Forensics managed to extract a genealogy-grade DNA profile from a bone sample, leading to significant breakthroughs in identifying relatives.
- Two crucial DNA matches were found: a first cousin on the paternal side and a first cousin once removed on the maternal side.
- Genealogist Linda Doyle used public records and other sources to trace the family tree, identifying 16-year-old Patricia McClone as a potential match for Jane Doe.
- Patricia McClone, not reported missing, lived in Brooklyn and was not a sex worker, challenging prior assumptions about the case.
- Patricia's paternal cousin, a retired NYPD cop, worked near where the body was found, adding an unexpected twist to the case.
- The discovery opened new questions about Patricia's disappearance, prompting a deeper investigation into her life and circumstances.
7. ðŠ Unraveling a Complex Family History
- Bernard was married to three women over his lifetime, including two simultaneous marriages, highlighting his ability to maintain a dual life within the same neighborhood.
- He fathered at least four children, contributing to the complicated family structure.
- The secrecy of Bernard's lifestyle was such that Helen, one of his wives, was unaware of his marriage to Pat, although Pat's awareness remains uncertain.
- Both Bernard and Pat manipulated their ages on marriage documents to align with societal norms, reflecting the lengths taken to maintain appearances.
- Despite Bernard's death, his marriage to Helen was publicly acknowledged, indicating societal recognition of their relationship.
- Following Helen's death, Bernard's son, Junior, moved in with Pat and Patricia, although this arrangement lacked stability.
- Patricia faced significant educational challenges, including poor attendance and repeating a grade, culminating in her dropping out in 1969 due to a 'medical discharge,' a euphemism for pregnancy during the 'Baby Scoop Era.'
- This era was marked by the stigma of single motherhood, which deeply affected Patricia's life choices and opportunities.
- Investigations suggest possible involvement of Patricia's school physician in illegal adoption activities, a suspicion further fueled by a robbery at his office.
- Patricia's marriage to Donald Grant occurred one day before she officially left school, with her mother Pat's consent, reflecting societal pressures and family dynamics.
8. ð Marriage, Disappearance, and New Revelations
8.1. Marriage and Initial Investigation
8.2. Revised Timeline and New Focus
8.3. Donald Grant's Identity
8.4. Investigation Challenges and Family Ties
9. ð Linking the Past: Final Identification of Patricia McClone
- Patricia McClone was about 6 or 7 months pregnant when she dropped out of school, likely giving birth in July or August of 1969. This historical context sets the stage for understanding her disappearance and subsequent investigations.
- In May 1971, Pat petitioned the court to release $250 from Patricia's account, claiming Patricia needed work clothes for a new job, despite Patricia being believed to have been killed two years earlier. This raises questions about the authenticity of her supposed signature, highlighting inconsistencies in the narrative.
- Signatures on the petition filed by Pat appeared similar to her own, raising questions about the authenticity of Patricia's supposed signature. This inconsistency was a focal point of the investigation, as it suggested possible forgery or misrepresentation.
- Despite extensive investigations, police were unable to find anyone who remembered Patricia or her alleged husband, Donald. This lack of corroborating witnesses made it challenging to confirm Patricia's identity and whereabouts through traditional investigative means.
- Investigators are 99.5% certain that Patricia is the Midtown Jane Doe, but official confirmation requires mitochondrial DNA. This underscores the importance of modern forensic techniques in resolving cold cases.
- Fiona, a maternal first cousin once removed, provided a DNA sample years ago, which was used to match and confirm Patricia's identity as the Midtown Jane Doe. The use of mitochondrial DNA was crucial in providing the final confirmation needed to close the case.
10. ðĻ Ongoing Investigation: Seeking Justice and Closure
- Blonde male hairs found on the carpet have not yet provided any leads; further testing is ongoing.
- The original building at 301 West 46 Street has been demolished and replaced by a hotel and apartments.
- Donald Grant is the primary suspect; investigators are attempting to uncover his identity and connection to the case.
- Records from major adoption agencies have been subpoenaed, but there is no evidence of Patricia's child being adopted.
- The investigation acknowledges the possibility of informal or 'under the table' adoptions.
- Investigators have not found a photograph of Patricia, and she is not mentioned in Junior's account, indicating a potential erasure from history.
- The murder of Patricia remains unsolved, with efforts focused on identifying the killer and understanding her background.
- Authorities are seeking information from anyone who knew Patricia, especially those from her childhood neighborhood or schools.
- A list of schools Patricia attended is available on the blog, encouraging public assistance in the investigation.
- Public urged to contact Crimestoppers with any information, highlighting the need for community involvement.