Diane Minor (c. 1944 - March 17, 1998) was a woman found murdered in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1998. While unidentified, she was known as Leo Jane Doe due to a distinctive pendant of the zodiac sign Leo found with her body.
She was identified by the DNA Doe Project with assistance from Eric Schubert in July 2024.
Background[]
Diane was originally from Alabama but moved to Nashville with her parents after high school in the early 1960s to further her career as a Country music singer. She participated in the Miss Nashville beauty pageant in 1962, where she was recognized as Miss Congeniality. The same year, she was the runner-up in The Tennessean's "Discovery of the Year" contest.
In 1963, she signed a recording contract with the Wilburn Brothers and recorded several singles. By 1965, she was a regular cast member as a singer and weathercaster on a variety show hosted by Country singer Stu Phillips on WSIX-TV. She later released an album titled "Mama Danced" in 1976.
After this time, she disappeared from the public spotlight. She was last known to be working as the manager of the Second Story Café in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1993. She was not reported missing. Her sister, however, was said to have actively tried to make contact after she disappeared.
Case[]
Diane was possibly seen in a Valley Market store with a man the night before she was found. A clerk at the store recalled complimenting her on the gold zodiac pendant she wore. Her companion was a black man also wearing a gold zodiac pendant and was considered a person of interest in the case. He has not been identified.
Her body was pulled from the Cumberland River the following morning. She was shot in the head twice.
DNA testing showed familial ties to Chilton County, Alabama, in October 2020. The case was brought to the DNA Doe Project in 2023, and Diane was tentatively identified within three months. An official confirmation was made in July 2024.
Characteristics[]
- Brown wavy hair with blond highlights, around 5 inches.
- Green eyes.
- Dental work valued at around $10,000 USD.
Clothing and accessories[]
- Black sweatpants with a patch on the front that reads "Tweety In Twaining."
- White panties.
- White Reebok shoe with red trim.
- Necklace with a "Leo" Zodiac pendant.
- Dark-gray ring.
- Gold ring.
Gallery[]
Sources[]
- Diane Minor at the Doe Network
- Diane Minor at the DNA Doe Project
- WBRC
- FOX 17
- News Channel 5
- The Tennessean
- WSMV
- WKRN