NC NC - Lumberton, WhtFem 15-20, UP1882, in cornfield near asphalt plant, Sz 6 sandals, clothes, Jun'78

[carbuff]

I usually just submit to Namus for cases that are in both places.

 

[carolinafirefly]

Hmm... the last picture I posted of her does not seem to actually be Teresa Cupps, although our websleuths thread for Teresa includes that photo of her. Another missing persons site includes it, as well. The only reason I now know better is I just came across a NamUs case for Joann Rozelle with the same picture. She's also missing from Oklahoma City but a decade later than Teresa Cupps, so the Lumberton unidentified person can't be her. I wish I could edit out the last picture from my previous post to avoid confusion.

Modnote: Pic was removed from posts.

 

[carolinafirefly]

I got a standard response back from the assigned NamUs Regional Program Specialist but nothing else so far. I'm guessing these things move slow as molasses. So how does it work? Is there a way to tell if family reference samples are already submitted for Teresa Cupps? Since there are rule outs listed for her case, I assumed that meant there must be some DNA already submitted, but I could be wrong on that. Besides, if there is already a reference sample, why wouldn't the two cases have been matched during some kind of automated, routine comparison?

I am more sure than ever that it is a match. My guess is that she was on her way to the beach when something happened. Her friends may have been scared to call authorities (some friends, eh?) Highway 74 is a popular route to the beach here in NC, and it was the time of year for it. I live along the same route only an hour up the road, and a large percentage of our local businesses used to depend on beach traffic for revenue. Here is one additional comparison between the UID's profile composite and a more angled image of Teresa Cupps:

 

[sunnynz]

I got a standard response back from the assigned NamUs Regional Program Specialist but nothing else so far. I'm guessing these things move slow as molasses. So how does it work? Is there a way to tell if family reference samples are already submitted for Teresa Cupps? Since there are rule outs listed for her case, I assumed that meant there must be some DNA already submitted, but I could be wrong on that. Besides, if there is already a reference sample, why wouldn't the two cases have been matched during some kind of automated, routine comparison?

I am more sure than ever that it is a match. My guess is that she was on her way to the beach when something happened. Her friends may have been scared to call authorities (some friends, eh?) Highway 74 is a popular route to the beach here in NC, and it was the time of year for it. I live along the same route only an hour up the road, and a large percentage of our local businesses used to depend on beach traffic for revenue. Here is one additional comparison between the UID's profile composite and a more angled image of Teresa Cupps:

Namus used to tell you the status of DNA samples (and other identifiers). So if a UID and a MP both had DNA submitted and tests completed then yes you would know they had already been tested against each other. Their new site no longer does this so it’s now a guessing game.

I have been working on UID cases for maybe three years now and have submitted probably 20 possible matches in that time across different cases. In maybe two of those I’ve had responses confirming that the match has already been checked and is not a match. In the others I’ve never had anything beyond that initial confirmation email. Some of those matches have a good chance in my opinion. So I guess things do move slowly and you’re also relying on the relevant law enforcement to follow up and pursue the match after namus passes that info on to them. Which may not always be a priority for old/low profile cases I’m guessing. It’s a long game for sure.

 

[carolinafirefly]

Namus used to tell you the status of DNA samples (and other identifiers). So if a UID and a MP both had DNA submitted and tests completed then yes you would know they had already been tested against each other. Their new site no longer does this so it’s now a guessing game.

I have been working on UID cases for maybe three years now and have submitted probably 20 possible matches in that time across different cases. In maybe two of those I’ve had responses confirming that the match has already been checked and is not a match. In the others I’ve never had anything beyond that initial confirmation email. Some of those matches have a good chance in my opinion. So I guess things do move slowly and you’re also relying on the relevant law enforcement to follow up and pursue the match after namus passes that info on to them. Which may not always be a priority for old/low profile cases I’m guessing. It’s a long game for sure.

Thanks for the reply, sunnynz. Hopefully it won't take three years in this case since Teresa's sister is looking for her. The thought that some of these UID persons have nobody at all looking for them anymore is so sad. I guess it's not really true, though, when there are people like you who keep looking for all of them.

 

[Alleykins]

According to DN, Teresa had one or two tattoos, but I'm not finding any mention of tattoos for this set of remain in DN or NamUs. I suppose it's possible LE decided not to divulge that information for this UP, but in my experience, they usually list distinguishing marks like that.

The Doe Network: Case File 1318DFOK

• • Marks, Scars, Tattoos: Tattoo on the right ankle. She has "track marks" from heroine use. She may have a scar on her abdomen area and a tattoo on her lower right leg.

 

[carbuff]

Unidentified Person Case

She has both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

Bumping for reference, since DNA information is now hard to find. This UID does have DNA in the system.

Since the remains were estimated at 2-4 weeks old, and partially decomposed, it's possible that a small tattoo or scar wouldn't be visible, if it was in one of the decomposed areas. It gives me pause, but I don't think it's quite a ruleout.

 

[Owutatangledweb]

Don't forget there are other reasons someone may be ruled out, such as dentals. It's not just DNA. Also, in this case they said she "may" have a scar and tattoo. "May" may not be enough for them.

 

[fiver]

the area where the girl was found has a large population of native americans. the tribe is the lumbee tribe. they tend to keep to themselves.

sent from my iphone 12

 

[theshadow45]

Bumping.

 

[Mysteries1974]

Missing Person Case



Possible match?

 

[LanadelNay]

Could it be possible she was native american?? That may help narrow down matches.

 

[theshadow45]

Lumberton Jane Doe has been unidentified for 41 years today.

 

[Owutatangledweb]

So sad.

 

[dorothyland]

Very sad. I hope a group like DDP gets involved.

 

[theshadow45]

Bumping.

 

[fiver]

the area where the girl was found has a large population of native americans. the tribe is the lumbee tribe. they tend to keep to themselves.

sent from my iphone 12

Could it be possible she was native american?? That may help narrow down matches.

my theory is that she is indeed native american and specifically of the lumbee tribe which is of the area and why it is known as lumberton.

imo LE is not or probably never did get a lot of cooperation.

context below

Battle of Hayes Pond - Wikipedia

 

[cadetcallie]

Does anyone have an up-to-date list of exclusions for LJD? I’ve been fascinated with her case recently, but I can’t find any recent updates about rule-outs. I’m especially curious about Teresa Cupps and Mary Frances Gregory — I think they have strong potential as matches. Anyway, it’s nice to see so many people looking for her and keeping her memory alive.

 

[rats]

Does anyone have an up-to-date list of exclusions for LJD? I’ve been fascinated with her case recently, but I can’t find any recent updates about rule-outs. I’m especially curious about Teresa Cupps and Mary Frances Gregory — I think they have strong potential as matches. Anyway, it’s nice to see so many people looking for her and keeping her memory alive.

You would have to contact her law enforcement officers to get an official full list of ruleouts (besides the ones just listed on NamUs - because god knows they aren’t the same list!) but here is what is listed on NamUs. You can see it yourself by logging in, shame they put it behind a login now.



(I promise if you click it it’s not a thumbnail lol)

 

[cadetcallie]

You would have to contact her law enforcement officers to get an official full list of ruleouts (besides the ones just listed on NamUs - because god knows they aren’t the same list!) but here is what is listed on NamUs. You can see it yourself by logging in, shame they put it behind a login now.

View attachment 220987

(I promise if you click it it’s not a thumbnail lol)

That explains why I haven’t been able to see them on NAMUS! Making an account now lol. Thanks for the reply!