Identified! NC - Durham Co., UP15960, 25-35, in plastic storage container, Oct'16 - Melissa “Missy” Ann Poitra

[Blurgle]

the key to this UID is who's storage unit it was. was it rented by someone using an alias, or do they know who rented it? either it was rented w an alias or LE just isn't sharing.

It might have been a corporate rental, and the business didn't keep records of who had the key.

 

[SweetClover]

I think of this case a lot because I live literally right down the street. I wish we knew approximately when she died... I don't know what years to look for when I search missing people!

Even just some better descriptions of her clothes would help.

 

[SweetClover]

Bump.

Got on a true crime kick and thinking about this UID again.

If her watch is metal and non-digital, makes me think she either was placed there before 2010 or she was on the older side. I know very few people who wear watches anymore, and those that do wear sports watches or fitness trackers. (Though I think the latter didn't really take off until post-2016)

From a general Google search, a gold Pulsar watch looks like an old dress watch of my mother's. Not something I'd typically expect to pair with jeans and nikes.

 

[othram]

One of our teammates tried to add some color to the facial reconstruction. Hope it helps! Feedback always welcome.

 

[YaYa_521]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

11 Exclusions -
MP1610 Cheryl Cunha 08/28/2001 Northampton PA
MP18496 Zoe Hope 04/20/2006 Wake NC
MP1301 Angela Hudson 09/20/2001 Rockingham NC
MP1232 Renee LaManna 01/08/1994 Cape May NJ
MP14127 Lillian Mathis 03/01/2010 Forsyth NC
MP24995 Zulma Pabon 06/06/2014 Chesterfield VA
MP7584 Parley Pate 02/09/1993 Wake NC
MP9167 Elizabeth Pratt 11/15/1980 Davidson NC
MP17268 Crystal Prentice 08/23/2012 Cabarrus NC
MP9034 Cynthia Robison 10/11/2007 San Joaquin CA
MP2482 Sandra Ross 01/08/1984 Wake NC

 

[Vespertine]

Yay Othram! You may just be my new favourite people. She looks so much better with a little colour added.

 

[othram]

Yay Othram! You may just be my new favourite people. She looks so much better with a little colour added.

Thank you! We hope the color makes her more recognizable to folks.

 

[Dana Skully]

Hi everyone! I'm new to Websleuths, and I recently found out about this daunting case. Let's quickly get the word out so that Othram can get started on it!

 

[leilarose68]

Hi everyone! I'm new to Websleuths, and I recently found out about this daunting case. Let's quickly get the word out so that Othram can get started on it!

If anyone here lives in Durham maybe they can post it in their local facebook groups.

 

[Dana Skully]

I believe I found the storage facility she was found in. Can anyone else confirm?

 

[P. Kitty]

Has Shonda Renee Stansbury been ruled out? She only lived an hour and a half outside of Durham.

Hair looks blonde but it's described as brown.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

 

[YaYa_521]

I believe I found the storage facility she was found in. Can anyone else confirm?View attachment 257543

@KJ's Mamu posted info about the facility. Does this help?

The Namus profile reflects and address of 1725 Carpenter Fletcher Road, Durham, NC. It appears that Ample Storage is located at this address.

Ample Storage on Carpenter Fletcher Rd. - Ample Storage

Per public tax records, this property is currently owned by The 1953 Company, LLC.
http://property.spatialest.com/nc/durham/property/157175/land

The deed was transferred in September 2009
http://rodweb.co.durham.nc.us/PA3Preview/RealEstate/SearchDetail.aspx?bk=6316&pg=999&type=BkPg

Based on Electrical Inspections going back to 2007, it appears the building already existed when the deed was transferred.
http://ldo.durhamnc.gov/durham/ldo_web/ldo_main.aspx

My logic: If the storage unit was already existing in 2009 when the deed was transferred and the new owners simply took over management of the storage unit, then the remains could be older than 2010?

I've not had any luck figuring out who owns The 1953 Company, LLC. Will keep looking.

 

[Al Ka]

As it was not posted here yet, here is recent announcement about this case:

Durham PD is working with Othram Lab to Identify a Jane Doe Whose Skeletal Remains Were Found in a Storage Unit in 2016
===
#NorthCarolina - Investigators were shocked to find the remains of a young woman in storage unit that was being cleaned out in October 2016. The discovery was made at a self-storage unit on Carpenter Fletcher Road in Durham County, North Carolina. An unrecognizable, almost skeletal individual was found inside of a plastic container that was stowed away inside. It is unclear how long the remains may have been hidden in that location. However, prior to their discovery, the unit was rented by the same person since 2010.

The death is presumed suspicious, however, there is little evidence pointing to the identity of the victim or how she ended up in the storage unit. The victim had few possessions with them. The only clothing that remained were jeans sized 36 width and 32 long, two white socks, and a pair of Nike shoes. Additional personal items included a yellow Pulsar watch and three keys.

Investigators were able to estimate the age of the decedent (at time of death) to be 25 to 35 years old. It is further concluded that the remains were from a white female, with a possible height ranging from 5’3” to 5’5”. Her hair was brown and about seven inches long, meaning she would have had shoulder-length hair at the time of death. There are limited physical traits and features: no visible scars, tattoos, or other unique markings.

Dental records were taken with the possibility of being compared. In February of 2019, composite sketches from the FBI were developed of the Jane Doe in hopes that someone may recognize her and come forward with information. The sketches depict what the victim may have looked like: a young woman with shoulder length hair, and a slight space between her front teeth. The sketches were then broadcast in the news and posted on missing persons sites in hope that someone would recognize her and reveal who she was. So far there have not been any additional leads.

The Durham Police Department is working with Othram to use advanced DNA testing and forensic genealogy to establish an identification of, or to find nearest kin to the decedent. Anyone with information about the decedent is encouraged to contact the Durham Police Department at (919) 560-4440.

A fund has been established to cover the costs of testing for this case. Those wishing to contribute can contact the Durham Police Department or contribute here - Donate to DNASolves. This case is logged in NamUs as UP15960.

Follow Othram on Twitter @OthramTech or visit Othram on FB - Othram Inc. to learn how they can help you with your case. Visit dnasolves.com or FB - DNASolves Advocates to learn how anyone can make a difference in helping solve the next cold case.
===
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
DNASolves - Who is Durham Jane Doe (2016)?


Source - DNASolves - Who is Durham Jane Doe (2016)?

 

[aThousandYearsWide]

However, prior to their discovery, the unit was rented by the same person since 2010.

I'm curious to why authorities aren't zeroing in on them. It could be that it was a business owned unit like someone mentioned upthread, but even then the owner likely knows who had access to it and storage units usually have security cameras.

I worked for a company that had a storage unit. I had to punch in a 4 digit company code to open the gates, and the unit was padlocked with a combination lock which was also 4 digits. The thing about the gate though is you could avoid punching in the code if you were behind someone else since the gates stay opened for just enough time for two cars to pass through. It would be good to know if this unit was a outside access or hallway access. My boss's was the last unit down a long hallway. Loading up you sometimes had to leave the unit opened and unlocked for a few minutes while you got stuff from your car. I doubt that this is a case of someone sneaking in and leaving her though.

 

[SweetClover]

I wonder if it's not really a question of who did it, just who the Doe is. I haven't actually found much information indicating there's an unknown killer, or even if they are investigating it as a murder. (I doubt it was an accident though...how do you put yourself in a container?)

All in all there's surprisingly little info out there that I have found, even as a local. I feel like it should have made a bigger media splash.

 

[SweetClover]

It would be good to know if this unit was a outside access or hallway access.

If it's the facility that I'm aware of on Carpenter Fletcher, it's outside access. It's the type with little connected sheds with garage-door style entries.

 

[carbuff]

I wonder if it's not really a question of who did it, just who the Doe is. I haven't actually found much information indicating there's an unknown killer, or even if they are investigating it as a murder. (I doubt it was an accident though...how do you put yourself in a container?)

All in all there's surprisingly little info out there that I have found, even as a local. I feel like it should have made a bigger media splash.

It could have been an accidental or medical death with somebody hiding the body. Like if somebody wanted to keep collecting insurance benefits or disability payments or something along those lines.

 

[Al Ka]

It could have been an accidental or medical death with somebody hiding the body. Like if somebody wanted to keep collecting insurance benefits or disability payments or something along those lines.

While we don't know cause of death and cause of death could have been also undetermined, I personally do not think this case is about collecting benefits.

The reason - police know who owned the storage since they found the remains 4 years ago. By now they would have linked whoever was missing from the owner's immediate circle or bank records. They would also not seek expensive forensic genealogy. So, in my humble opinion, something else is in a play.

I guess I am getting more intrigued about the name of the owner...

It reminds me of the case from 2-3 years ago when remains were found in container inside of an abandoned car behind the block of flats. Remains were there for few decades and only discovered due to owner of the car passing and someone else clearing it few years later. His name was never released and she was unidentified. I am actually not sure if it got solved by now.

 

[carbuff]

While we don't know cause of death and cause of death could have been also undetermined, I personally do not think this case is about collecting benefits.

The reason - police know who owned the storage since they found the remains 4 years ago. By now they would have linked whoever was missing from the owner's immediate circle or bank records. They would also not seek expensive forensic genealogy. So, in my humble opinion, something else is in a play.

I guess I am getting more intrigued about the name of the owner...

It reminds me of the case from 2-3 years ago when remains were found in container inside of an abandoned car behind the block of flats. Remains were there for few decades and only discovered due to owner of the car passing and someone else clearing it few years later. His name was never released and she was unidentified. I am actually not sure if it got solved by now.

I remember that case but I don't remember the resolution. Pretty sure it was solved eventually though.

I agree that it's a less likely situation and I'm not advancing it as a theory. I also agree that they would have checked the owner's circle pretty thoroughly.

I notice that even though they know the same person rented the unit since 2010, they haven't said they think the remains must have been put there after 2010.

 

[Al Ka]

I notice that even though they know the same person rented the unit since 2010, they haven't said they think the remains must have been put there after 2010.

(respectuflly snipped by me for relevance)

Yes, exact same thing plays on my mind. In older posts here there is statement that company changed ownership of storage facilities in late 2009, which would jive with having proper records in order in 2010, if there were not in order prior to that.

Who knows for how long that person actually rented that storage prior to 2010.

Oh, I would love to know what else was in that storage.