Susan[1] Gale Poole, previously known as Singer Island Jane Doe, (February 12, 1957 - c. December 24, 1972) was a teenager whose partial skeleton was discovered in Florida in 1974.
She was identified in May 2022 by Othram Inc; the announcement was made the following month.
Case[]
Poole disappeared in late December 1972, although it is unclear whether she left on her own accord (as she had done so once before) or if she went missing involuntarily. She also had a history of hitching rides.
The remains of the Jane Doe were found by a man and his two teenage sons while searching for driftwood on June 16, 1974, on Singer Island in North Palm Beach, Florida.
The remains had been scattered around the discovery area and animal activity had been prevalent when the remains were examined. Parts of the skeleton were never recovered.
Because of the scavenging animals, investigators were unable to find out how the victim died; however, there is evidence to speculate homicide, as holes shaped like bullet holes were discovered on the sweater the Jane Doe had been wearing.
In addition, it appeared that she had been bound to a tree at the scene prior to her death.
Investigation[]
With little evidence to work with, investigators recorded her dental charts and estimated her height and weight. A small amount of tissue was present on the remains, which was used for a blood test. DNA was later obtained but failed to match any existing profiles in CODIS; genetic genealogy was later sought in the fall of 2021.
She was initially believed to be Bonnie Robinson of Detroit, Michigan; where investigators took a trip to see if they were hers or any other women in the area, but no matches were made. Robinson was excluded after a future examination of the remains.
In a Palm Beach Post article from July 1974, investigators believed that they may have had a suspect in the case as they were considering missing girls in Michigan; however, the suspect, 17-year-old Terry Wayne Walker, was ruled out. Walker confessed to murdering Bonnie Robinson.
There is also a possibility that suspected serial killer Gerard Schaefer was involved in the case. He is believed to be responsible for the disappearances of Pam Nater, Nancy Leichner, Carmen Hallock, Peggy Rahn, Wendy Stevenson, and Debora "Debbie" Lowe. The latter victim was excluded from the Jane Doe case. However, it is worth noting that Schaefer was known to kill his victims in pairs, and no additional victim was accounted for at the scene, nor was there forensic evidence supporting this theory at the scene. Schaefer did, however work as a police officer in the same city Poole disappeared from, and she was consistent with his choice of victims.
Clothing[]
The following clothing was found near the remains:
- A black pullover shirt with grey sleeves and grey midsection stripe.
- Yellow panties, size 5
- Denim material believed to have originated from a pair of denim high-cropped shorts (AKA "Daisy Dukes" or short-shorts).
Characteristics[]
- Her hair appeared to be blond with a possible reddish tint.
- She had dental work based on fillings in some of her teeth.
- She also may have had a prominent overbite.
Gallery[]
Sources[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Some sources state “Suzanne” as the victim’s first name.