Headless, Handless Body Found In Trunk In Hudson Valley In 1980 ID'd

FISHKILL, NY — New York State troopers announced that they have positively identified the remains of a woman whose identity remained a mystery for over four decades.

Since March of 1980, New York State Police have been investigating the discovery of a murder victim left headless and handless in a travel trunk near a dumpster at the Hudson View Apartment Complex in Fishkill. Due to technological and forensic limitations of the time, positive identification of the victim was not possible — until now.

Over the past 42 years, investigators have followed up on hundreds of leads attempting to identify the victim and the circumstances surrounding her death.

"It's not unique to this victim," New York State Trooper A.J. Hicks told PEOPLE magazine. "Especially at that time, there were several serial killers that back then that was their M.O. At the time we didn't have DNA. Forensically, we had a lot of limitations at the time and investigators wouldn't be able to foresee the changes and advancements. They weren't looking to set up investigators in the future."

Due to modern advances in genetic technology, an identifiable DNA sample was obtained by the FBI's Investigative Genealogy Team, in partnership with Othram, a private lab that specializes in cutting edge forensic DNA analysis. Funding was provided by the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).

Using this DNA profile, on May 26, 2022, the New York State Police Troop K Major Crimes Unit positively identified the victim as Anna L. Papalardo-Blake, of NYC, who was 44 years old at the time of her death. She was reported missing to the NYPD at the time after last being seen on March 18, 1980, at approximately 6 p.m., leaving her place of work, Vidal Sassoon on 5th Ave. in Manhattan, where she worked as a receptionist.

Police said that the woman, who up until this year, was known as "Dutchess County Jane Doe," was found on March 20, 1980, two days after she was reported missing. The victim was, at the time, described as being in her mid-20s, with brown hair, around 5'6" and weighing 135 pounds.

According to NamUs, Papalardo-Blake's body was found in a green travel trunk with black trim, blue lining and brass fittings. Several stickers on the outside indicated the trunk traveled from NYC to France in 1958 and returned to NYC in 1960, with the trunk's owner listed as June Leaf.

New York State Police thanked the FBI, the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office and NamUs for ongoing assistance with this case.

No details about any possible suspects have been released yet.

New York Sate Police are asking anyone who believes they have information related to the case to contact investigators at 845-677-7300, and reference case #3020974.