BCA Exhumed Remains Of Woman Found Near Lilydale

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) last summer exhumed the remains of five people from Twin Cities cemeteries – three men and two women. Their identities were unknown at the time of burial and DNA testing was not available.

BCA scientists obtained DNA profiles from each of them. Unfortunately, none of those profiles matched DNA in state and federal missing person databases.

One woman, who was found dead on June 11, 1976, was located in the Mississippi River near Lilydale.

“This result further demonstrates the need for families of missing people to provide DNA samples for comparison with unidentified remains,” BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said in a statement. “A process that takes less than a minute to complete can answer a lifetime’s worth of questions.”

DNA collection opportunities planned

The BCA has scheduled a series of DNA collection opportunities across Minnesota over the next two weeks where families who haven’t already done so may provide information about their missing relative and a DNA sample. The resulting DNA profile will be entered into missing person databases for comparison with unidentified remains. The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center will also have staff on hand to provide family support as needed.

“The disappearance of a family member is extremely difficult because the loss is accompanied by so many unanswered questions,” BCA Deputy Superintendent Catherine Knutson said. “While a match like this is not the result families hope for, it is information that may help them move forward.”
Steps for families to take

Close family members of missing persons (parents, siblings, children) who have not already provided a DNA sample are encouraged to meet with BCA personnel on one of the dates listed below:

• BCA Headquarters - 1430 Maryland Ave. E., Saint Paul
• Tuesday, July 184:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Duluth Police Department - 2030 N. Arlington Ave.
• Wednesday, July 194:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., BCA Bemidji Regional Office - 3700 Norris Court NW
• Thursday, July 274:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Mankato Public Safety Center - 710 S. Front St.

BCA personnel will guide family members through the necessary steps. Families should bring with them any available information about their missing relative including:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Photos
• Dental records
• Items which may contain the missing person’s DNA (baby teeth, toothbrush, hairbrush, etc.)
• Exact or approximate date and location they went missing

Once a consent form is signed, the BCA will collect a DNA sample using a cheek squab. BCA scientists will then enter the profile obtained from that sample into the Minnesota and FBI missing persons databases for comparison with DNA profiles of unidentified persons in Minnesota and across the nation.

“DNA is the scientific link to a person’s identity,” Knutson said. “We cannot give these people back their names without family participation.”

Identification effort successes to date

Since the BCA’s larger unidentified remains effort began in 2013, five people have been identified through DNA matches to family members.

• Pearline Walton of Minneapolis
• Cassandra Rhines of Minneapolis
• Michelle Busha of Bay City, Texas
• Todd Wagener, last known alive in Pima County, Arizona
• Mary Lynn Shondel (Andersen) of Gillette, Wyoming

A National Institute of Justice grant covered the costs of the recent exhumations and the planned collection, testing and entry of missing person family member DNA into state and federal missing person databases.
Facts about the BCA’s Unidentified Remains Effort

Many of these people were discovered decades ago when DNA testing was not available. Oftentimes, when attempts to identify remains were unsuccessful, they would be kept at a medical examiner’s office or interred as an unknown person.

Forensic testing capabilities now available allow BCA scientists to derive DNA from old or poor condition remains. The BCA needs family member DNA samples to compare with DNA collected from unidentified remains.

• At least 100 sets of human remains have been located in Minnesota thus far, but more are believed to exist.
• In some cases, specific details regarding how the remains were recovered is unclear.

Facts about Unidentified Remains – the National Picture

• According to National Institute of Justice, 40,000 sets of unidentified remains are held in medical examiners offices across the nation.
• Only about 15 percent of unidentified remains have been entered into the FBI’s National Missing Persons DNA Database.
• Without the DNA from the missing person or their family members, these individuals may never be identified.

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