1976 Murder Victim Still Unidentified: Coroner Needs Your Help

The Grundy County Coroner’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in helping to identify a victim from a 1976 cold case. On October 2, 1976, the body was found in a farm field ditch on the western edge of rural Grundy County. The victim was described as a black woman, between 18 to 23. She had black hair, brown eyes. She was 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds.

According to the authorities, investigators from the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois State Police in conjunction with the coroner, worked the case for a period of time. After several weeks of not being able to make any identification, the body was buried under the authority of the Grundy County Coroner. The death was ruled a homicide from a gunshot wound to the head.

"With so much advancement in forensic science over the years, our office is taking a fresh look at this case. With the help of an illustrator, who was able to design this image to help depict how the victim may have looked at the time of her death," explained Grundy County Coroner John W. Callahan. "We understand that this is someone’s daughter and loved one. Please help us in bringing closure to her family after forty-two years."

Anyone with information that can lead to the identity of this female is asked to contact Deputy Coroner Brandon Johnson at the Grundy County Coroner’s Office at 815-942-3792 or bjohnson@grundyco.org

Image furnished by the Grundy County Coroner's Office, courtesy of Carl Koppelman