MD MD - Woodstock, WhtFem 35-60, UP11923, found alive/injured in a field, died Sep'71, Jul'71 (Sarah Sharkey)

[mtlupy]

I am so happy that Sarah has her name back! I passed by that field every day for over a year on my way to and from work, and always thought about her. I also love that her children have finally gotten connected. I hope her killer will be caught now.

 

[Spindlebrook]

I am so happy that Sarah has her name back! I passed by that field every day for over a year on my way to and from work, and always thought about her. I also love that her children have finally gotten connected. I hope her killer will be caught now.

It would be more accurate to say “abandoner” rather than killer, she was found alive.

 

[The4TierBridge]

It would be more accurate to say “abandoner” rather than killer, she was found alive.

And beaten half to death… this was ruled a homicide (although some reporting from before identification incorrectly stated otherwise).

 

[Mfleish]

Some more information here, mostly on her children. It's a tough read.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/02/07/cold-case-sibling-reunion-howard-county

 

[The4TierBridge]

Some more information here, mostly on her children. It's a tough read.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/02/07/cold-case-sibling-reunion-howard-county

This information from the article is new (previously, it was initially stated by authorities that there were no signs of foul play, and then during a renewed appeal in December 2024 they admitted this person had suffered abdominal injuries and the death was a homicide).

"Police surmised that the woman had been sexually assaulted based on her seminude condition. They shipped her blouse, bra, underwear and slip to the FBI’s crime lab, and the FBI returned the garments with a report: Lab techs had found semen on the slip."

"Records show her body was delivered to the State Anatomy Board, housed at the University of Maryland medical school...It also disposes of unclaimed corpses. The ashes are poured into unmarked holes in a memorial field on the grounds of a state mental hospital...As best as anyone can tell, this is where her remains lie."

The DNA testing for this case was done from chemically-fixed slides of heart, liver, lung, and kidney tissue. The semen-stained clothing which could contain suspect DNA is missing.

There is also a print-out of the original indecent report from before she died in the hospital:

 

[PipeyRella]

Some more information here, mostly on her children. It's a tough read.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/02/07/cold-case-sibling-reunion-howard-county

https://archive.ph/MEWas for anyone who doesn't have a login for Washington Post