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1211UFNJ
Oldest case on the Doe Network. There has been talk of identifying this Jane Doe through DNA and the family tree method AKA genetic genealogy.
Date of discovery: March 25, 1887
Location of discovery: Rahway, Union County, New Jersey
Estimated date of death: Either March 24 or March 25, 1887
State of remains: Recognizable face
Cause of death: Homicide by blunt and sharp force
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'2
Weight: Unknown
Hair color: Brown (Alleged)
Eye color: Blue (Alleged)
Fingerprints: Unknown
Dentals: Unknown
Jewelry: Jewelry of unknown description (possibly rings)
Additional personal items: Small satchel, small basket of eggs, and an umbrella
An officer found a small black bag near the river that contained small articles, some that might've belonged to a man. The young woman's basket had 9 eggs of which 6 were broken. Across the fence, a pen knife with a turquoise handle was found.
The young woman was embalmed and photographed dressed in the clothes she was found in. Rahway Police allegedly still have these photos. Rahway Jane Doe's murder was the subject of national headlines and many viewed her body, but she (and her killer) still remains unidentified.
She is buried in Rahway's Cemetery.
The Rahway Jane Doe from March 25, 1887 (New Jersey)
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 732-827-2200
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: Unknown
Oldest case on the Doe Network. There has been talk of identifying this Jane Doe through DNA and the family tree method AKA genetic genealogy.
Date of discovery: March 25, 1887
Location of discovery: Rahway, Union County, New Jersey
Estimated date of death: Either March 24 or March 25, 1887
State of remains: Recognizable face
Cause of death: Homicide by blunt and sharp force
Physical Description
Estimated age: 18-22 years oldRace: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'2
Weight: Unknown
Hair color: Brown (Alleged)
Eye color: Blue (Alleged)
Identifinders
DNA: UnknownFingerprints: Unknown
Dentals: Unknown
Clothing and Personal Items
Clothing: Dark green cashmere dress trimmed with green feathers, yellow kid gloves, foreign good shoes, bonnet, black straw hat with red velvet trimmings, black dotted veil, and a fur cape.Jewelry: Jewelry of unknown description (possibly rings)
Additional personal items: Small satchel, small basket of eggs, and an umbrella
Circumstances of Discovery
Four brothers traveling to work at the felt mills by Bloodgood's Pond in Clark, New Jersey found the decedent's body lying off Central Avenue near Jefferson Avenue several hundred feet from the Central Avenue Bridge over the Rahway Bridge. Her body lay at the side of the road in a pool of blood that had frozen due to cold weather. Her throat had been cut twice from ear to ear and the right side of her face was extensively bruised from a severe beating. Her torn cape was found next to her and her body was surrounded by large footprints.An officer found a small black bag near the river that contained small articles, some that might've belonged to a man. The young woman's basket had 9 eggs of which 6 were broken. Across the fence, a pen knife with a turquoise handle was found.
The young woman was embalmed and photographed dressed in the clothes she was found in. Rahway Police allegedly still have these photos. Rahway Jane Doe's murder was the subject of national headlines and many viewed her body, but she (and her killer) still remains unidentified.
She is buried in Rahway's Cemetery.
Sources:
Rahway murder of 1887 - WikipediaThe Rahway Jane Doe from March 25, 1887 (New Jersey)
Investigating Agency
Agency Name: Rahway Police DepartmentAgency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 732-827-2200
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: Unknown
These have a few more details about her murder. I've been trying to find a photo of Mary since she resembled the woman, but I've had no luck so far.
