Identified! MO - McDonald Co., 'Grace Doe' Fem Skeletal 784UFMO, 21-31, Dec'90 - Shawna Beth Garber

[MadMcGoo]

“Approximately two months before the body's remains were discovered, a local 10-year-old boy tried to tell his parents about a body he saw. His parents, however, thought he had an overactive imagination and his comments were dismissed. Had they come forward at that time, it could have had a different outcome, Ytterberg said.”

This would rule out the “screams heard on Halloween” story being connected to this case. And the Doe Network’s estimated date of death as Oct. 31, 1990. It would indicate the boy saw her there at the beginning of October, not end of it. A pity his parents didn’t take him more seriously. Moot point I know, but something seems odd about this part of the story.

I am beyond thrilled that her case has been fully funded and Othram can begin to work their magic!

 

[othram]

“Approximately two months before the body's remains were discovered, a local 10-year-old boy tried to tell his parents about a body he saw. His parents, however, thought he had an overactive imagination and his comments were dismissed. Had they come forward at that time, it could have had a different outcome, Ytterberg said.”

This would rule out the “screams heard on Halloween” story being connected to this case. And the Doe Network’s estimated date of death as Oct. 31, 1990. It would indicate the boy saw her there at the beginning of October, not end of it. A pity his parents didn’t take him more seriously. Moot point I know, but something seems odd about this part of the story.

I am beyond thrilled that her case has been fully funded and Othram can begin to work their magic!

We are very excited. This is the best holiday gift we could hope for.

 

[Bit of hope]

Just got word Grace Doe's case is fully funded with Othram Labs.

Who is McDonald County Grace Doe?

Hip hip Horray! Great news!

 

[Bit of hope]

Double post DBM

 

[Bit of hope]

“Approximately two months before the body's remains were discovered, a local 10-year-old boy tried to tell his parents about a body he saw. His parents, however, thought he had an overactive imagination and his comments were dismissed. Had they come forward at that time, it could have had a different outcome, Ytterberg said.”

This would rule out the “screams heard on Halloween” story being connected to this case. And the Doe Network’s estimated date of death as Oct. 31, 1990. It would indicate the boy saw her there at the beginning of October, not end of it. A pity his parents didn’t take him more seriously. Moot point I know, but something seems odd about this part of the story.

I am beyond thrilled that her case has been fully funded and Othram can begin to work their magic!

That's indeed a totally new angle to the story. I knew the boy had seen her, but there was never an indication when this was on the timeline. There is also a story that somebody heard a heavy vehicle around that time....also not related?

A respectful little song and dance MadM.

 

[MadMcGoo]

That's indeed a totally new angle to the story. I knew the boy had seen her, but there was never an indication when this was on the timeline. There is also a story that somebody heard a heavy vehicle around that time....also not related?

A respectful little song and dance MadM.

Yes, if I understand correctly, the vehicle was heard at the time the screams were heard.

I can’t help but wonder what state her body was in when he saw her...apparently more than once? He had to have recognized it as a human, so I assume she wasn’t too badly decomposed, depending on how close he got. And there’s no way I believe he didn’t tell and/or show others what he’d discovered. Especially if his parents thought he was full of you-know-what. I’d want to prove to someone that I wasn’t. I can’t imagine stumbling upon something like this, most especially at such a young age.

 

[Bit of hope]

Yes, if I understand correctly, the vehicle was heard at the time the screams were heard.

I can’t help but wonder what state her body was in when he saw her...apparently more than once? He had to have recognized it as a human, so I assume she wasn’t too badly decomposed, depending on how close he got. And there’s no way I believe he didn’t tell and/or show others what he’d discovered. Especially if his parents thought he was full of you-know-what. I’d want to prove to someone that I wasn’t. I can’t imagine stumbling upon something like this, most especially at such a young age.

I agree, he probably did show the body to his friends (if he had them). Isn't it weird that the parents didn't get along with his story and dismissed it. He must have been upset about it. I feel sorry for him. I can't talk for other people, but I think I would at least have taken a look to be sure, even if my child was known to have a vivid imagination. The outcome of this case could have been so different.....fingers crossed and hopes up that new technology is going to help identify her.

 

[MadMcGoo]

I agree, he probably did show the body to his friends (if he had them). Isn't it weird that the parents didn't get along with his story and dismissed it. He must have been upset about it. I feel sorry for him. I can't talk for other people, but I think I would at least have taken a look to be sure, even if my child was known to have a vivid imagination. The outcome of this case could have been so different.....fingers crossed and hopes up that new technology is going to help identify her.

I can’t imagine how different things would be had an adult saw this “a couple of months” before the official discovery. We may never know if that would have made a difference or not... but I’ll wonder nonetheless.

I truly have faith in Othram’s capabilities. I feel we will know some things, at least, eventually.

 

[Bit of hope]

I truly have faith in Othram’s capabilities.

Me too. Let the waiting "game" begin.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I just read this entire case for the first time over the last few days, and it really struck me how many different missing women had similarities and could be her. So many.
To think of how she was treated is horrible.
That she has a good chance of getting her name back now after all this time brings hope.

 

[MadMcGoo]

I just read this entire case for the first time over the last few days, and it really struck me how many different missing women had similarities and could be her. So many.
To think of how she was treated is horrible.
That she has a good chance of getting her name back now after all this time brings hope.

I have high hopes.

 

[CastlesBurning]

Recent Crack Made In 30-Year-Old Cold Case

 

[imstilla.grandma]

McDonald County Sheriff Robert Evenson said a crowdfunding campaign with private firm Othram is complete and the $5,000 price tag has been met. Officials are now working the case through DNA processes and utilizing genealogy.

Staff members with Othram, a Texas-based lab, were able to extract some DNA and believe they have located a distant relative of Grace, Evenson said. "We're trying to narrow that down," Evenson said. "It's a place to work."

Former McDonald County Sheriff Mike Hall is now serving as a patrol supervisor with the department and remains the liaison with Othram, Evenson said. Hall has information about the distant relative's grandparents, but they said they are not aware of anyone in the family who has been missing for years, Evenson said. At this point, Othram officials will construct genealogy and build a family tree, he added. "It's a lot of work (to do), but it's very promising," Evenson said.

Michael Vogen, Othram's director of case management, said a DNA extraction was performed from skeletal remains. "We have completed all the lab work," Vogen said. "It was pretty contaminated, but we did get useful DNA and were able to build a clean DNA profile." Othram is the world's first private DNA lab that conducts the entire process in-house. Lab personnel uses DNA enrichment, modern genome sequencing and genealogy.

After extraction, officials perform a quality assessment, a mini-sequence of the DNA. If officials believe a full DNA sequence can be performed, the first milestone is achieved, he said. "That concludes the lab work," he said. From there, Othram's lab director, who is assigned to Grace's case, will begin to compare that DNA to various databases, he said.

In a full sequence, scientists can compare anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 markers of DNA. In comparison, only 20 markers are utilized in the CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), utilized by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, he said.

Grace, however, was not a criminal and not in CODIS, Vogen said, so potential matches can occur by comparing numerous databases and by building family trees for potential matches.

Othram's own in-house professional-level lab can help officials specialize their services. The lab was built two years ago when officials saw a "big void in forensic testing." The lab focuses on cold cases and assisting police agencies and other organizations across the world.
Recent Crack Made In 30-Year-Old Cold Case

 

[othram]

Time to climb some family trees!

 

[coffeeandacig]

Time to climb some family trees!

Awesome! Please keep us updated!

 

[othram]

Awesome! Please keep us updated!

Of course!

 

[Bit of hope]

@othram Yes, yes, here we go! Lot's of luck!

 

[Tabirey]

Time to climb some family trees!

Oh!! Such good news!! Sending out good vibes for a quick match!!

 

[Melt71]

Time to climb some family trees!

As you may have gathered from the number of times I’ve tagged you on cases, I’m a big fan of your work from afar (very afar as I’m living in Africa). A lot of my goodwill is a direct result of your obvious enthusiasm and willingness to engage with this & other online sleuthing communities. Great work!

 

[othram]

Thank you so much @Melt71! Spread the enthusiasm!