Buckskin Girl" case: DNA breakthrough leads to ID of 1981 murder victim

 A cadaver unearthed in a trench beside an Ohio thoroughfare 37 years prior has now been authenticated as that of an Arkansas lady employing "pioneering" DNA methodologies. Dubbed the "Buckskin Girl" due to her notable buckskin coat, the deceased was discovered in Troy in 1981.

Recently, the Miami County [Ohio] Sheriff's Office proclaimed that the corpse had been recognized via DNA examination as Marcia King, a 21-year-old from Arkansas. Her demise was attributed to strangulation and severe blows to the cranium.

Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a forensic anthropologist affiliated with Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, expounded that this instance entailed "groundbreaking" endeavors facilitated by the DNA Doe Project, a non-profit, to employ genetic genealogy in the resolution of unidentified individuals.

"This transcends the conventional 'DNA resolves unidentified individual' narrative," remarked Murray, who has contributed to over 30 cold cases in Ohio, during a press briefing. "I believe you will discern today that this signifies truly revolutionary and pioneering work."

Despite employing numerous investigatory methods, law enforcement had hitherto been unable to identify the individual known as "Buckskin Girl," as noted by Murray. Those who discovered the deceased woman had publicized the distinctive coat she was found wearing, fervently hoping for recognition and leads, to no avail.

DNA profiles of the victim had been established by the Miami Valley Regional crime lab in 2001 and by a DNA laboratory at the University of North Texas in 2009. In 2008, "Buckskin Girl" was among the initial entries into the university's National Missing and Unidentified Persons System database, according to Murray.

Both DNA profiles were incorporated into CODIS, the federal DNA database, without yielding any matches. In 2016, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children unveiled a new facial depiction of "Buckskin Girl," which was disseminated to the media, yet failed to elicit any recognition.

Subsequently, in the preceding year, Murray encountered the founders of the DNA Doe Project at a conference and commenced collaboration.

"I conveyed, I possess the cases, provided you possess the technology," recounted Murray.

"Buckskin Girl" constituted one of those cases. Murray elaborated that a private laboratory successfully generated a DNA profile from a vial of the victim's blood obtained post-mortem. This profile was then passed on to the DNA Doe Project, which utilized it to discern a relative of the victim via a publicly accessible genealogy database, employing methodologies akin to those utilized by commercial genealogy enterprises.

Upon obtaining a DNA sample from the relative, the Miami Valley Regional crime lab validated the match.

According to the sheriff's office, investigators are now concentrating on apprehending her assailant. Sheriff Steve Lord of Miami County, speaking on Wednesday, revealed that he has been in contact with the victim's family, who have been cooperative. Authorities disclose that King's mother has maintained residence in the same abode for the past 37 years and has not altered her telephone number, clinging to the hope of her daughter's return.

"They harbored hopes that Marcia would reunite with them, however, they are now coming to terms with the reality that this shall not come to pass," expressed Lord.

Lord implored anyone possessing information to step forward. He disclosed that police suspect King was present in Louisville and Pittsburgh in March 1981, the month prior to her demise, yet she was never reported missing.

He refrained from divulging further details, citing an ongoing homicide inquiry.