FL FL - Fort Lauderdale, WhtFem 756UFFL, 21-35, in drainage ditch, Jun'74

[citizen_sleuth]

"Decomposed Body Found In Canal," Fort Lauderdale News, 20 June 1974, 3B.

The Broward County Medical Examiner's office performed an autopsy yesterday but the condition of the body prevented determination of cause of death.

Fort Lauderdale News, 21 June 1974, 15.

Detectives say the woman wore the earring around the chain like a medallion and said the watchface carries the name Kenneth Lane on its face. The watchband appears to be specially made. The woman was described as between 20 to 30 years old, with brown shoulder-length hair, brown eyes, weighed about 122 pounds and had a can of Protecta Mace in her jeans.

"Body Of Woman Still Unidentified," Fort Lauderdale News, 22 June 1974, 2B.

"Identity of Drowned Woman Still Mystery," Fort Lauderdale News, 23 June 1974, 9B.

According to a sheriff's office spokesman, a call was received yesterday from a woman who said she had seen a young woman hitch hiking on State Road 84 around 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, who fit the general description given in Fort Lauderdale newspapers.

The woman told detectives that the hitch hiker was wearing blue jeans, a light blue mid-rift top and carrying a shoulder bag. The woman said she had not seen the picture of the four pieces of jewelry which was in the newspaper Friday, but hesitated calling authorities because of her fear of becoming involved.

The woman was unable to say if the girl she had seen was wearing any of the jewelry.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

I searched through the archives to see if I could find any mention of "Protecta Mace" but came up empty.

The "Kenneth Lane" (Kenneth Jay Lane) watch could have been produced in either the 1960s or the 1970s based on the marks used on KJL jewelry, although with a photo of the back of the watch it would be possible to narrow the date even further. As far as I can tell, KJL's only brick-and-mortar store was in New York City, although he occasionally did "pop-ups" in other cities around the country in the 1970s.

 

[Sweetluv]

The UID was wearing jeans, a blouse, jewelry, heeled cork shoes, and had a small can of mace in her pocket. I wonder if she was out at a bar/club ? Interesting she thought to bring mace along to wherever she was going..

 

[Sweetluv]

Zero ruleouts on NamUs

 

[hapka77]

Some logical assumptions based on the known facts;

1. Due to the circumstances of her discovery, (found in a drainage ditch), the cause of death being determined as drowning, as well as the body being fully clothed, we can assume with reletive certainty that her death was either homicide or suicide. It certainly fits the pattern of homicide as Jane Doe was...
2. Probably a Hitchhiker. If we rely on the statement of the witness from the newspaper clipping, which qoutes seeing a hitchiker in clothes matching Jane Doe on State Road 84 around 4:00 PM Tuesday (Tuesday likely being June 18th). Beyond this apparent sighting, Jane Doe was found with a can of Mace, which could be further evidence that she was a hitchiker, (though not definitive.) There isn't any concrete proof to indicate that she might have been involved in sex work, but this cannot be discredited, considering it was a means of survival for many young hitchhikers of this period. The mace and her clothing might suggest that. Her fillings might indicate that she was of a higher socioeconomic status, the same with her jewelry, but it's hard to say without context. On top of all of this, her being a hitchhiker does not necessarily mean she was itinerant or from out of town.
3. Probably on the younger side of age range. Based on the newspaper accounts, her attire, and the possibility that she might have been a hitchhiker. As well as her dental work.

Candidate Based on the Above Details & Assumptions:
Margie Ada Snead, #MP20976; 19-year-old woman who was last heard from when her mother received a postcard, allegedly from her daughter, postmarked to Hot Springs, AK with the date 1974, (but seemingly no day or month.) It is unclear when the mother recieved this postcard - the NAMUS profile lists date of last contact as Jan 01, 1974, but I'm unsure whether that's based on the mother getting the postcard, or a generalised day and month added to include her in the database. It seems that Margie was from Arkansas, and left under circumstances unknown. She is slightly below the age range, but is physically very simular to our Jane Doe; 5'5, 150 ibs, dark hair, dark eyes. Although, it's important to note that beyond her eye and hair color are based on the photograph attached to her profile, as neither are recorded with her details. If she left to go hitchiking in early 1974, perhaps she ended up down Florida way. Margie has several comparisons, none yet with Broward County Jane Doe.

 

[theshadow45]

Hiatus Jane Doe has been unidentified for 51 years today.