IA IA - Polk Co, WhtFem UP10846, 19-25, in Des Moines River, ''Avon'' medallion, May'80

[Romulus]

1209UFIA - Unidentified Female​

Decedent's jewelry.

Date of Discovery: May 26, 1980
Location of Discovery: Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Estimated Date of Death: Unknown
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Partial skeletal parts only
Cause of Death: Gun shot

Physical Description​

Estimated Age: 19-25 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'4" to 5'8"
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Possibly red or auburn
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Severe curvature at L5 in spine.

Identifiers​

Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Not available.

Clothing & Personal Items​

Clothing: Tube-top, unknown color.
Jewelry: Size 8, white-metal ring with turquoise stone and "coils" around it. White-metal Avon necklace with cross medallion.
Additional Personal Items: Hair pins.

Circumstances of Discovery​

The decedent's remains were discovered south of Carlisle Road near Hubbell Park in southeast Des Moines. Much of the skeleton was intact, but some of the bones had been moved and the jaw had been separated from the skull.

Officials say death could have occured a year or "years" before the body was found and that she suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of her jaw.

Investigating Agency(s)​

Agency Name: Polk County Medical Examiner's Office
Agency Contact Person: Megan Rausch
Agency Phone Number: 515-286-2102
Agency E-Mail: megan.rausch(at)polkcountyiowa.gov
Agency Case Number: 10-77-1490

Agency Name: Des Moines Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Detective Jeff Shannon
Agency Phone Number: 515-237-1550
Agency E-Mail: jbshannon(at)dmgov.org
Agency Case Number: 1980-20704

NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 10846

Information Source(s)​

NamUs

1209UFIA

 

[PezCandy]

Looking at the jewellery, is it possible that she was a Wiccan? I am a Wiccan and I have seen ankhs frequently, so I know what I mean. I'm not sure how widespread Wicca would have been in rural Iowa more than forty years ago.

Ankhs were definitely worn outside of Wiccan practice (tho many wiccans have them) My mom was selling Avon as a side gig during that time frame so I had asked her about the jewelry, she had told me that the Ankh jewelry was really popular during that time, this specific necklace along with a ring that was the same style as necklace were fast sales, they stopped selling them as the design started declining in sale a couple years later. There was an Egyptian theme line that Avon had introduced a long with the ankh jewelry & fragrances. Hope this helps!
(Mom & grandma both sold Avon for a very long time)
Edited to add that it was the MN & IA area that they worked in