Identified! MT - Missoula Co, 'Chryssie Crystal Creek' AsianFem 3UFMT, 20-35, Sep'85 Janet Lee Lucas

[Susikatze]

I am just wondering if there have been discoveries that made it more certain she is African American and not Asian?
I mean the skull is pretty ambigous, can be an European or Native descent person but also an African American with more "European" nasal features.

Only it is not a typical Southeast Asian or a typical subsaharan African.

Pinpointing her descent would be a huge step towards identification.

 

[Susikatze]

I love the new recon, so real, warm and full of life.

 

[Tristana]

The reconstruction is amazing, good job ! It makes me think we are either looking for someone with an African-American parent and an Asian parent OR for a dark-skinned South-Asian person (maybe Indonesian, Malaysian or Filipino).

 

[othram]

The reconstruction is amazing, good job ! It makes me think we are either looking for someone with an African-American parent and an Asian parent OR for a dark-skinned South-Asian person (maybe Indonesian, Malaysian or Filipino).

Should be more clear once we finish sequencing.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

It's amazing to see a reconstruction like this.

 

[othram]

I am just wondering if there have been discoveries that made it more certain she is African American and not Asian?
I mean the skull is pretty ambigous, can be an European or Native descent person but also an African American with more "European" nasal features.

Only it is not a typical Southeast Asian or a typical subsaharan African.

Pinpointing her descent would be a huge step towards identification.

There are no discoveries beyond what is in the anthropology reports. For this case, it seems anthropological techniques alone, will not be enough. Once we have DNA results, we will have a better idea of her biogeographical ancestry. Its another reason why DNA testing is so important for this sort of work!

 

[Susikatze]

Yes, amazing! Excitedly waiting for the results!

 

[FrankieFalzon]

I don't suppose there's a chance that anyone archived these 2006 documentaries about Nance?

Montana's News Station, Fair. Accurate. To the Point. -Cold Case

 

[Al Ka]

I am just wondering if there have been discoveries that made it more certain she is African American and not Asian?
I mean the skull is pretty ambigous, can be an European or Native descent person but also an African American with more "European" nasal features.

Only it is not a typical Southeast Asian or a typical subsaharan African.

Pinpointing her descent would be a huge step towards identification.

Should be more clear once we finish sequencing.

I can't wait what sequencing of her DNA will reveal as I am a bit confused with her case. I am no anthropologist but even on the image below, in the same shot with anthroplogy student, when you compare size of Jane Doe skull and roughly size of his head/skull it strikes me how unusually small it is. I have seen quite a few skulls by now but none as small as of this adult Jane Doe.

Just to add, no, I don't think it is bad photo angle and no, I don't think she is a child as anthropologist would definitely detect that. But definitely something else is in play here which I can't pinpoint.

Would aging of person perhaps affect size of the skull in some cases? (I know sounds ridiculuous but?) Or are there some ethnicities out there whose skulls are somewhat smaller than others? Or any other thoughts?

(click on image to enlarge)

 

[MadMcGoo]

I can't wait what sequencing of her DNA will reveal as I am a bit confused with her case. I am no anthropologist but even on the image below, in the same shot with anthroplogy student, when you compare size of Jane Doe skull and roughly size of his head/skull it strikes me how unusually small it is. I have seen quite a few skulls by now but none as small as of this adult Jane Doe.

Just to add, no, I don't think it is bad photo angle and no, I don't think she is a child as anthropologist would definitely detect that. But definitely something else is in play here which I can't pinpoint.

Would aging of person perhaps affect size of the skull in some cases? (I know sounds ridiculuous but?) Or are there some ethnicities out there whose skulls are somewhat smaller than others? Or any other thoughts?

(click on image to enlarge)

I hadn’t really noticed, but you’re right. It looks rather small. It doesn’t appear to be a weird camera angle either. Can you tell what the thing is it’s sitting on? I was trying to determine that to maybe scale it, but I don’t know what that thing is. I thought maybe a paper plate, but it looks like fabric.

Interesting.

 

[FaerieDust]

Looking forward to seeing what we learn from the sequencing. New recon is beautiful, better than the old ones for sure!

 

[FireOwl9]

Bumping. I have a gut feeling she may be identified soon. Any updates on Christy Crystal Creek, @othram?

 

[othram]

Bumping. I have a gut feeling she may be identified soon. Any updates on Christy Crystal Creek, @othram?

Believe in your gut.

 

[othram]

Good news, everyone. Christy Crystal Creek now has her name back: After 36 years, Christy Crystal Creek is now Identified

 

[MadMcGoo]

Wow! Great work as always Othram and team. Rest peacefully now Janet.


After speaking with her family and friends it was determined that she was last seen in the summer of 1983 in Sandpoint, Idaho. No records have been found showing Janet living in, or spending time in Montana, so investigators are now appealing to the public, in hopes of finding anyone who may have known or seen Janet in Missoula in the summer of 1983 and into 1984.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Rest in peace, Janet Lucas

 

[Susikatze]

The last Nance victim got home!

Wow, well done, Othram! You are doing groundbreaking work. So many ID's lately!

And on a side note, she was anything but Asian. The limits of anthropology.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

https://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-...-identified-in-missoula-county-after-36-years

Another photo of Janet in the above article.

 

[MadMcGoo]

https://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-...-identified-in-missoula-county-after-36-years

Lucas grew up in California and Washington and had seven brothers and sisters. She also had a son who was five years old when she went missing. He has spent much of his adult life searching for his mother.

 

[MadMcGoo]

https://nbcmontana.com/amp/news/loc...-case-womans-remain-identified-after-36-years