Investigators in Vernon County hope casting a wider net will help them solve a 28 year-old murder. “What I would say, if I had two words to describe what I’d like to see, would say extraordinary efforts,” said Sheriff John Spears. “Twenty-eight years ago, a killer went to some extraordinary efforts to conceal Jane Doe’s identity.”
AUDIO: WVRQ’s Tim Hundt reports (4:00)
The body of the female victim, approximately 50-to-63 years-old, was dumped along a roadside on May 4th, 1984. The victim had been bludgeoned, her hands cut off, and all labels removed from her clothing. Jim Hanson was the first officer on the scene where a woman’s body was found. he believes the killer was interrupted in an earlier attempt to dump the body when a local resident drove by. Hanson retired as chief deputy and has continued to work on the case. He said several pieces of evidence were found at the first scene. It’s hoped improved forensic techniques and social media may help to resolve the case.
“She was a living, breathing human being,” said Spears. “She was dumped like basically a piece of garbage along a deserted highway. What I’m asking for is a continued effort. Anyone with information on the case is being asked to contact the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department. The state Department of Justice is also working with the department on the effort.