DNA Testing May Help Solve Cold Case

Photo: Nicole L. Bowers

Police are still investigating the death of 17-year-old Morris resident Nicole L. Bowers fifteen years after she went missing, but this time they’re hoping DNA evidence will help to crack the case.

When Bowers’ mom went to bed the night of Aug. 2, 2000, she woke up to find her daughter missing. Bowers was a habitual runaway, according to a Herald-News article, but when she didn’t come home after a few days, investigators became suspicious, especially since Bowers did not take any personal items with her.

On May 9, 2003, Bowers’ fate was revealed. A surveyor found part of her skull in a field near Bungalow and Gun Club roads in Channahon, about two miles from where she lived.

“We found some bones on the surface and ended up searching an area about 50 yards long by 75 yards wide where we brushed down inches below the surface and sifted,” (Channahon Police Chief Jeff) Wold said.

Bowers’ identity was confirmed through dental records and forensics indicated her bones had been intentionally broken and scattered across the wide area. She died as a result of blunt force trauma to her head.

Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland decided to review the case after attending a homicide conference in February.

According to Helland, evidence collected in Bowers’ death was recently sent to a crime lab. However, further analysis will be needed to see if the DNA returned from the crime lab will be matched to anyone.

“Upon review of this particular case, (investigators) pulled out several leads that weren’t followed up on at the time,” Helland said. “We feel someone in the public has relevant information and relationships have changed among those individuals.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Channahon Police Department at 815-467-8353 or the Grundy County CrimeStoppers at 815-942-9667.