The Adams County Coroner’s Office is soliciting the public’s help in identifying a victim from a 54-year-old cold case. The office recently made the discovery that the remains of a woman found in the Ohio River in April 1970 have never been identified, prompting plans to exhume the body.
In a story that aired on Fox19 News in Cincinnati last week, Adams County Coroner David Parrett emphasized the importance of the effort. “Typically, we only give bad news. So if there’s some way we can give peace of mind to a family, even after all this time, it’s still someone’s sister, someone’s mom,” Parrett told Fox19.
According to authorities, the woman’s body was discovered, near Manchester. Reports indicate that she was estimated to be between 60 to 70 years old, approximately 5 feet tall, and weighed around 145 pounds. Due to decomposition, her eye color could not be determined the television station reported.
The autopsy concluded her death was a result of drowning, although no visible injuries were found. However, the circumstances surrounding how and where she entered the Ohio River remain a mystery.
Parrett noted, “They looked into if we had any missing ladies about that age. Nobody has reported anyone missing, and there wasn’t any information on a missing person even in that timeframe they were looking.”
Awaiting a potential DNA profile, officials are hopeful someone from the community will come forward with information on the woman’s identity.
“We really do want to identify her and do everything in our power to give peace or answers to that family,” Parrett affirmed.
Before proceeding with the exhumation, the coroner’s office must follow Ohio law and go through a legal process.
Those with information about the woman are urged to contact the coroner via email at accoroner@adamscountyoh.gov.
