NC NC - Rocky Mount, BlkFem UnkAge, UP88687, In Tar River at Davenport Mill, Nightgown & Watch, Oct'84

[BrownBear]

Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP88687

Demographics
Sex Female
Race / Ethnicity Black / African American
Possible First Name--
Possible Middle Name--
Possible Last Name--
Nickname/Alias--
Estimated Age Group Cannot Determine
Estimated Age Range (Years)--
Estimated Year of Death--
Estimated PMI--
Height 5' 2"(62 inches) , Measured
Weight 175 lbs, Measured

Circumstances
Type Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found October 17, 1984
NamUs Case Created February 7, 2022
ME/C QA Reviewed October 18, 1984

Location Found
Location Rocky Mount, North Carolina
County Nash County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped)--
Found On Tribal Land No
Circumstances of Recovery On Wednesday, October 17, 1984, the body of an unknown black female was found in the Tar River at Davenport Mill. Davenport Mill which is located three-quarters of a mile down river from the Rocky Mount reservoir in Nash County.

Details of Recovery
Inventory of Remains--
Condition of Remains Recognizable face

Physical Description
Hair Color Black
Head Hair Description black hair that extended below shoulder level.
Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair Description--
Left Eye Color Brown
Right Eye Color Brown
Eye Description--

Distinctive Physical Features
No Information Entered

Clothing and Accessories
Accessories
Casio wristwatch with a black plastic band, with a broken face.
On the Body

Clothing
Black Nightgown
On the Body

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Interesting that her age isn't listed. She looks about 25-35 to me.

 

[HopeRains]

Information found in 19 Oct 1984 Rocky Mount Telegram. The article included the photo as seen in Namus.

 

[Curious_in_NC]

It was 1984 so I can give them a pass on no DNA, but no dentals or fingerprints? It doesn't seem like much effort was put into solving this crime and finding answers for her family.

 

[HopeRains]

but no dentals or fingerprints

I'm not able to see this information in Namus. Is this what you are seeing there, no dentals or prints?

 

[Curious_in_NC]

I'm not able to see this information in Namus. Is this what you are seeing there, no dentals or prints?

I think they would be listed in NamUs under "Identifiers", and you would see these noted, whether or not you're logged into a NamUs account. But they're not mentioned at all there. I guess it's possible the state medical examiner has this data but didn't enter that information in NamUs.

 

[HopeRains]

I think they would be listed in NamUs under "Identifiers", and you would see these noted, whether or not you're logged into a NamUs account. But they're not mentioned at all there. I guess it's possible the state medical examiner has this data but didn't enter that information in NamUs.

I did note the case was just created on February 7, 2022. NC Chief ME office is pretty good about entering/maintaining info, particularly when considering there are 100 counties in NC and many have their own coroner or utilize satellite ME office services in a nearby city. I'm glad there is a picture and am hopeful there are prints or dentals b/c statute at the time, as I recall, was that unclaimed remains (inclusive of unidentified) could be cremated and scattered at sea within 10 days of body location.

 

[CCJD]

I think they would be listed in NamUs under "Identifiers", and you would see these noted, whether or not you're logged into a NamUs account. But they're not mentioned at all there. I guess it's possible the state medical examiner has this data but didn't enter that information in NamUs.

DNA, dentals & fingerprints haven't been viewable to the public since NamUs 2.0 rolled out in 2018.

 

[Curious_in_NC]

DNA, dentals & fingerprints haven't been viewable to the public since NamUs 2.0 rolled out in 2018.

Is even their existence typically hidden now? After searching some UIDs now, that seems to be the case. I guess I've seen a lot of older NamUs profiles cut and pasted into Websleuths threads that mentioned them as "available" but I think you're right. Thanks!
It's my guess, though, that DNA sampling wouldn't have been routine until much later than 1984.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Quick reconstruction of Tar River Jane Doe - I wish there was more information on her.

 

[HopeRains]

View attachment 333924
Quick reconstruction of Tar River Jane Doe - I wish there was more information on her.

Thank you for doing this <3

 

[Moonwalker9]

She doesn't look like any missing black female I know from namus, Surprised she wasn't in the system before considering she was found deceased in 1984. She was a victim of homcide, Could Samuel Little be involved her too?

 

[Curious_in_NC]

She doesn't look like any missing black female I know from namus, Surprised she wasn't in the system before considering she was found deceased in 1984. She was a victim of homcide, Could Samuel Little be involved her too?

bbm
Maybe. Strangulation certainly fits his pattern. But from what I can deduce from his various timelines, he was in San Diego in October 1984, where he committed an assault and was subsequently arrested. I couldn't find the exact dates for the assault and arrest, so it's possible he could have also traveled briefly to NC that month, but it just seems unlikely in my opinion.

 

[Beccalicious]

Bumping

 

[Beccalicious]

Bumping again