The linked article estimates the PMI as 5 but "less than 30" years, but ME might've re-examined the remains and concluded that the newer PMI is more correct. As for why she's been entered in NamUs lately, there's three thing that comes to mind:
1) Isn't New York state required by law to enter all of their mp and UID cases to NamUs? I can only imagine the size of their backlog!
2) New York state has recently granted Parabon Nanolabs permission to provide their forensic genealogy services in the state. Maybe Jane Doe is one of their cases?
3) LE is following up an a lead.
The article also states that the skull is in a fragile state, so that a clay reconstruction can't be produced. I don't see a date for when the article was written, but mentions "last November" so I guess sometime in 2002, but in 2020 surely her skull can be scanned and rendered in 3D?
Additional info:
- Jane Doe's top left tooth was missing, and she had a type of denture that's only been around since the 70s.
- She was most likely buried nude underneath leaves and not in a shallow grave.
- According to the article, "she was not Asian or Native American", "at least 35 years old", and "between 5'1 and 5'3 tall".
