Austin’s Mystery Resolved: Volunteers Unravel Identity of Jane Doe After Four Years
In the lively city of Austin, a tragic mystery has come to a close, bringing resolution to the loved ones of a woman who was unknown for four long years. Thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers from the DNA Doe Project, the identity of the woman once labeled as the Slaughter Creek Jane Doe has finally been revealed, and it’s a poignant reminder of the power of community and genetics in solving cold cases.
Discovery in the Woods
It all began back on April 12, 2020, when a dog-walker stumbled upon the body of a woman nestled in a wooded area of South Austin. Authorities quickly identified her as a white female, estimated to be between 40 and 55 years old, with long gray hair. Despite the circumstances, her identity remained shrouded in mystery.
“Her family deserves to know what happened to her,” stated one local resident, encapsulating the emotions swirling around the case.
The Investigation Begins
The Austin Police Department jumped into action, but the investigation hit a wall. There were no forms of identification found on her and no matching reports of missing persons. With surgical clips discovered in her right breast and almost all of her teeth gone, the situation only grew more perplexing. An autopsy revealed the presence of methamphetamines, adding another layer to this complicated case.
Connecting the Dots
Fast forward to October 2022, when the dedicated team from the DNA Doe Project took matters into their own hands. They began their painstaking research, searching for any family connections that could unveil the woman’s identity.
But that didn’t come without its challenges! The highest DNA match linked to the Jane Doe turned out to be an adoptee, making the task even more intricate. Nonetheless, the determined genealogists didn’t back down; they channeled their energy into constructing a family tree using distant DNA matches from Kansas, Missouri, and, of course, Texas.
Breakthrough Discovery
Then, like lightning striking, a breakthrough occurred! Within a month, the team identified a woman in Travis County who was related to the family they had traced. Team co-leader Kevin Lord exclaimed, “We could tell from the woman’s DNA that she was connected to a few specific families.” After some weeks of research, they connected the dots that led straight to her parents, ultimately leading them to the name they had sought.
A Name After Years
By November 2022, the Slaughter Creek Jane Doe was finally named as Sherry Donnel Brock, aged 61 at the time of her passing. The confirmation came shortly after through a fingerprint analysis, and it was a moment filled with mixed emotions: relief mixed with sorrow.
“We could have remained unknown if not for the hard work of her distant cousins,” said Rhonda Kevorkian, another co-leader of the team. “When someone uploads their DNA to databases, it opens a treasure trove of possibilities in identifying John and Jane Does.”
Conclusion of a Tragic Tale
It’s now confirmed that there was “no indication it was a homicide,” as authorities ruled the cause and manner of death as undetermined. For the Austin community, the story of Sherry Donnel Brock serves not only as a testament to advanced genealogy but also highlights the importance of shared family histories. As this case has shown, sometimes it’s the love from distant relatives that brings back the names of those lost in the shadows.
This case has wrapped up but has also ignited the fire for others to upload their DNA. Who knows what mysteries could lie in the next match? Isn’t it fascinating how technology and community can unite to uncover the past?
