Just as it isn't that difficult to acquire cyanide, it really isn't that difficult to conceal ones identity in death. As long as your fingerprints (or DNA) aren't on any data base and you do not have any implanted medical devices with a serial number (Mary A.was rather "lucky" in this regard), all you have to do is dispose of anything that can be traced to you. Anyone who is reasonably organized ought to be able to pull it off.
An unidentified "Doe" is usually "found" either through a "missing person" report or someone recognizes them through media publicity. If they are from the same "media market" that they disappeared from, someone is likely to recognize them if there is sufficient media attention. For this reason, we can infer that Mary A. was not from the Seattle Metro Area. An extensive review of, first local, then State, National and International Missing Persons data-bases is the standard practice. If the "Doe" doesn't show up on one of these data-base and no one recognizes them from media coverage, they are unlikely to ever be identified. We can speculate on why she is not on any of these data-bases, but it is unlikely to help us identify her.
The best chance of identifying her now is to use what evidence there is available to narrow down as much as possible, where she may be from, and then attempt to interest the local media there in publicizing he case. (this may not be all that hard "unidentified people" stories are good "filler" and do generate local interest).
The single most important clue that isn't mentioned anywhere is Forensic Isotope Analysis. (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/stable-isotopes.html) It seems to pretty much standard practice is "Doe" cases like this one that have achieved high profile status. (I believe it might cost upward to $1000.) The results generally don't pin down the exact location where the "Doe" spent most of her life, but they can narrow it down considerably. In addition, we know the Metrical was distributed through Phoenix. I'm betting the distribution system would be restricted to a limited geographic area. (do they have all of the details?). We know she bought her gloves at Nordstroms. She probably bought them from where she came (anticipating cold weather in the North-West). In light of the very warm weather, I doubt she bough them in Seattle. (from what I can find, Nordstroms are concentrated along the West Coast and in the North East.)
If there is one Metropolitan Area with isotopes matching Mary A's teeth and hair, that was on the Metrical distibution network originating in Phoneix and Nordstoms was well established there, this would be the probable area Mary A was from.
An unidentified "Doe" is usually "found" either through a "missing person" report or someone recognizes them through media publicity. If they are from the same "media market" that they disappeared from, someone is likely to recognize them if there is sufficient media attention. For this reason, we can infer that Mary A. was not from the Seattle Metro Area. An extensive review of, first local, then State, National and International Missing Persons data-bases is the standard practice. If the "Doe" doesn't show up on one of these data-base and no one recognizes them from media coverage, they are unlikely to ever be identified. We can speculate on why she is not on any of these data-bases, but it is unlikely to help us identify her.
The best chance of identifying her now is to use what evidence there is available to narrow down as much as possible, where she may be from, and then attempt to interest the local media there in publicizing he case. (this may not be all that hard "unidentified people" stories are good "filler" and do generate local interest).
The single most important clue that isn't mentioned anywhere is Forensic Isotope Analysis. (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/stable-isotopes.html) It seems to pretty much standard practice is "Doe" cases like this one that have achieved high profile status. (I believe it might cost upward to $1000.) The results generally don't pin down the exact location where the "Doe" spent most of her life, but they can narrow it down considerably. In addition, we know the Metrical was distributed through Phoenix. I'm betting the distribution system would be restricted to a limited geographic area. (do they have all of the details?). We know she bought her gloves at Nordstroms. She probably bought them from where she came (anticipating cold weather in the North-West). In light of the very warm weather, I doubt she bough them in Seattle. (from what I can find, Nordstroms are concentrated along the West Coast and in the North East.)
If there is one Metropolitan Area with isotopes matching Mary A's teeth and hair, that was on the Metrical distibution network originating in Phoneix and Nordstoms was well established there, this would be the probable area Mary A was from.
. I would have a hard time believing it was Judith due to her physical build for one and the fact that she was believed to have possibly been a prostitute (albeit a high priced one) before she went missing. Not sure how she would have had the money to get to Seattle. Just MOO. Judith's sister is a member of websleuths so you might contact her on here and see what she thinks. If you look up Judith's thread her sister often comments!