Vickie Smith

This individual was recently confirmed to have been identified. Some details may change as more information is released publicly.

JoAnn "Vickie"^{^[1]} Smith (February 7, 1956 — September/October 1976) was a young woman who was found murdered alongside a roadway in Erienna Township, Illinois in 1976. She had been killed days prior to her discovery.

She was identified by the DNA Doe Project in June 2024.

Case[]

Vickie's body was discovered near a roadway in Illinois in October 1976. She was left nude, except for a sweater that was wrapped around her head. Additionally, garbage bags and duct tape were present. The case was reopened over four decades following her discovery, and the investigation towards finding her identity has been extensively pursued.

Investigation[]

In December 2018, her body was exhumed by the DNA Doe Project for testing, which proved to be a successful extraction.

In November 2019, extended relatives of the victim, including a fourth cousin and a niece in Alabama had been identified through genealogy.

In January 2020, further details were released about the DNA Doe Project's findings. An approximate birth year spanned between 1948 and 1960. It appeared her parents were possibly from Selma, Alabama, as well as one set of grandparents.

The surname Calhoun likely belonged to one grandparent, and a great-grandparent's surname may have been Harris, according to earlier results from genealogical research. The victim did have an extensive pool of relatives residing in both Dallas and Wilcox counties in Alabama, as well as Cincinnati, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan where others moved to at some point. She also may have had siblings unaware of her birth.

In June 2024, Smith was publicly identified in a press conference by the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, with two surviving siblings in attendance. She had last been seen leaving her Lincoln Heights, Ohio, home on the evening of June 14, 1976, about four months before her murder. She had been adopted, which made the process of determining her identity through genealogy difficult. Her remains were cremated, with plans for inurnment next to her parents.

Characteristics[]

Black, kinky hair.
Brown eyes.
Scar on right hip.
Mark on the lower abdomen, possibly a scar or birthmark.

Clothing and accessories[]

Red, black, and white knit cardigan-style sweater.
Garbage bags.
Duct tape.

Gallery[]

Sources[]

Notes[]

↑ Some sources spell the victim's nickname as "Vicky."

[1] Some sources spell the victim's nickname as "Vicky."

[1]