Remains Found In Tysons Identified As Teen Missing In 1975

TYSONS, VA — Remains found in a drainage ditch in 2001 in Tysons have now been identified as those of a teen who went missing in 1975, Fairfax County Police say.

Patricia Agnes Gildawie, who was also known as Choubi, was identified through the testing of a half-sister. Cold Case detectives tracked down the relative to conduct testing and learn about Gildawie, who dissapeared at age 17.

A construction crew had found the skeletal remains on Sept. 27, 2001 behind an apartment complex in a drainage ditch in the 5100 block of Lincoln Circle in Tysons. A construction crew found the remains behind an apartment complex along with some clothing. A medical examiner and anthropologist's review found the victim had died from a gunshot wound to the head.

The remains were initially believed to belong to an African American female in her late teens to early 20s. But that description changed to a white female when Cold Case detectives connected with Othram Inc., a laboratory that works on unsolved homicides.

Through the half-sister, detectives learned Gildawie was born in France in 1958 and came to the U.S. at eight months old. She moved to the City of Fairfax in the early 1970s, was dating an older man before she disappeared, and was known to drive a white Cadillac Eldorado with a red interior. The man she dated worked at an upholstery store near the intersection of Church Street and Lawyers Road in Vienna. Gildawie was last seen on Feb. 8, 1975.

"Identifying this young woman solves a mystery that has been more than 47 years in the making," said Ed O’Carroll, commander of the Major Crimes Bureau and Cyber and Forensics. "Our community should take comfort in knowing that our detectives never stop working these cases. Advancements in technology have given my Cold Case detectives an opportunity to pursue fresh leads and bring some relief to families that have been long suffering with the unknown."

Detectives are continuing to investigate the case with new information provided by the family. Anonymous donors provided funding for the testing and identification process.

Anyone with information about the case can submit a tip through Crime Solvers. Cold case information may also be given by contacting 703-246-7511 or FCPDColdCase@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County Police have a web page for information on unsolved cold cases.