Cold Case Homicide In Illinois Could Have Alabama Ties

GRUNDY COUNTY, IL — A 40-year-old cold case homicide in Illinois may have an Alabama connection, according to an official investigating the case. The 1976 case was reexamined by the Grundy County Coroner's Office in Illinois recently and evidence revealed that the unidentified female victim may have been from Alabama.

Grundy County Deputy Chief Coroner Brandon Johnson said he has been working on an unidentified female homicide victim cold case for the last three years, which originally occurred in October of 1976 near Seneca, Illinois.

"I’ve used modern-day Forensic Science techniques, including exhumation for DNA," Johnson said. "In June of 2019, I partnered with the DNA Doe Project, which specializes in genealogy. I’ve learned a lot of good information from the DNA Doe Project."

Johnson said the DNA match led to a woman from Selma. The details he was able to uncover about the deceased woman:

• Jane Seneca Doe was likely born between 1948 and 1960 and would have been missing by October 1976.
• Her parents may have come from Selma, Alabama. One set of grandparents were from Selma, Alabama.
• One of her grandparent’s was likely named Calhoun. One great-grandparent may have been named Harris.
• Other possible areas her relatives reside: Dallas County or Wilcox County, Alabama.
• At least one branch of the family moved to Ohio.
• She may have siblings who were unaware of her existence.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Johnson at 815-941-3359.