Identified! MO - Jackson Co, WhtFem 35-50, UP5299, topaz ring "KI66" & T&C ring #1220, wallet with RMK , 6 April 1979 *id'd February 2026 - Orlene Donaldson (41)*

[devertere]

Since no sizes are listed for the rings, could the topaz KI have been a Fraternity ring - Kappa Iota?

Unusual Vintage Fraternity Sterling Silver Opal Ring KI Kappa Iota Size 8 ½ | eBay

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ooh, great find

 

[fred&edna]

ooh, great find

I don't know anything about Greek fraternities/sororities. I've been googling and did locate some info but it's all "Greek" to me

This inactive chapter was founded in 1966... I know it says TKE but reading at the link describes KI.

| Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

www.tke.org

KAPPA-IOTA CHAPTER AT UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD​

 

[cheemsg]

So Larry E. Hayes was charged with her murder, but I can't find anything on him after he was indicited on April 21.
882UFMO
Article clipped from The Kansas City Times

 

[cenazoic]

Here’s the strange-ish thing I noticed:

Height: 5'4", Estimated.
Weight: 100 lbs, Estimated.
Clothing: Bra (size 38)

Bra sizes/sizing are weird and not standardized, but in general the above is saying that the circumference around her body, measured under her breasts, was 38 inches. (It’s also incomplete - the cup size (ie 38C etc) isn’t listed.)

That seems large for what otherwise appears to be a small woman?

 

[Laughing]

Here’s the strange-ish thing I noticed:

Height: 5'4", Estimated.
Weight: 100 lbs, Estimated.
Clothing: Bra (size 38)

Bra sizes/sizing are weird and not standardized, but in general the above is saying that the circumference around her body, measured under her breasts, was 38 inches. (It’s also incomplete - the cup size (ie 38C etc) isn’t listed.)

That seems large for what otherwise appears to be a small woman?

Maybe the bra was altered, or thrifted.

The weight could also be driver's license -- the nice people at the DMV don't make me update mine. My driver's license weight is from college, pre-pregnancy, pre-becoming a good cook, pre-menopause...up yeah I have some extra pounds wrapped around that number.

Shh -- or secret, right?

ymmv lrr

 

[Bettem]

the wallet with RMK are likely initials. In the south, it’s a monogram and usually goes your first initial, last initial, middle. So if it’s her wallet her initials were likely RKM

If you can figure out where she’s from and find someone with those initials that hasn’t been heard from in a while, you might find your person

 

[EuropeanSearcher]

Ever had reply about the possible pictures of the rings?

 

[eoyste]

She's been identified by Othram as Orlene Donaldson!

After 47 Years, Jackson County Jane Doe (1979) is Identified

Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 1979 Homicide Victim

dnasolves.com

 

[Xymena]

RIP Orlene

 

[victoriarobinson642]

She's been identified by Othram as Orlene Donaldson!

After 47 Years, Jackson County Jane Doe (1979) is Identified

Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 1979 Homicide Victim

dnasolves.com

I think she was born Orlene Reeder. She married "T" White in 1958 when she was 20 years old, and "R" Donaldson in 1974.

 

[summergirl1]

Her initials don't match the wallet. She was 41 at death, going by that birthdate. She was also local.

 

[summergirl1]

Her much younger half sister's 2019 obit listed her as deceased. So her family had figured out something had likely happened to her. She was pretty much local, and yet never identified at the time.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/292483404/orlene-l-donaldson

 

[Melt71]

Orlene's child with her first husband would have been just a teen when she was killed. I am so glad they have answers now.

 

[Warwick1991]

At the beginning of the thread, it notes that she was wearing dentures. At her age, loss of natural teeth could indicate domestic violence, although there are other possibilities. The wallet with someone else's initials could have been from a thrift store or an outlet store. I can recall seeing outlet store merchandise years ago that featured returns of monogrammed items. Returned monogrammed items are difficult to sell due to personalization.

She must have endured hard times, and my guess is that she was one of many anonymous victims of domestic violence.