VA VA - Helen Allison, 16, Fairfax, 11 May 1972

[Pennysmom1]

 

[☆forest_waffle☆]

Could this Jane Doe be a match? The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

It’s definitely possible. Helen was born in Onslow, NC, and this person was found in Lumberton, NC—not too far apart. Since Helen came from a military family, moving around was likely normal for her (my own experience is similar: my dad was in the military, and we lived in four different states before he retired).

We don’t have a confirmed date for when Helen’s family moved to Virginia, but it’s reasonable to think she may have missed home and decided to travel back to North Carolina. Another possibility is that family dynamics played a role.

In the comments under her father’s obituary (James Allison Obituary): “He always wanted you to be your best and wouldn't accept it if you gave any less. I guess that's the Marine in him.” (Georgene Pechette). With six siblings, maybe Helen felt overlooked or pressured and wanted to get away.

It's worth looking into.

 

[☆forest_waffle☆]

I just read on the Charley Project that it’s possible Helen traveled up to Washington DC. I’m going to check NamUs for any Jane Does in the DC area who might match her description and will share here if I find any leads. There really isn’t a lot of information out there on this case...

I also found her page on the International Missing Persons Wiki. They listed Jane Does who have already been ruled out, which should help narrow things down.

By the way, I upscaled the old images of Helen I found on The Charley Project.

 

[☆forest_waffle☆]

There are a few unidentified cases from Washington, DC, that could be Helen:

#UP16571-Female, White/Caucasian, found in 2005. Estimated age 40–50, height 5'3" (same as Helen). Estimated year of death is 2002–2005, which would make Helen about 46–49 if it’s her. The age and height are an exact match, so I think this is the most likely option.

#UP87267-Female, White/Caucasian, found in 2001. Estimated age 25–35, skull only, estimated year of death around 1991. Helen would have been about 35 then, so it’s possible but less likely due to the lower age range.

#UP59378-Female, uncertain race, found in 2010. Estimated age 18–50, height 5'0"–5'4". The age and height ranges are broad, so there’s a chance, but not as strong a match as the others.