3D Printing Helps Revive Cold Case Homicide Investigation In Loudoun County

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office hopes to have new leads with the help of 3D printing in the case of a Jane Doe homicide victim.

The unidentified female victim was found dead on May 28, 1973, on Foundry Road and Taylor Road in the Lincoln area of Loudoun County. Detectives were not able to identify the woman or find a suspect, leading the case to be open for more than 50 years. According to the sheriff's office, the homicide is one of the oldest unsolved cases in Loudoun County.

Now, George Mason University professor and forensic artist Joe Mullins has created a clay facial reconstruction bust of the female victim. Mullins used a 3D printed model of the victim's skeletal remains to sculpt a bust of what the victim may have looked like at the time of her death.

"I’m so proud of the work the LCSO has done on this case, as well as our partnerships with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and with Professor Mullins," said Sheriff Mike Chapman in a statement. "I hope this relentless determination, combined with the renewed interest sparked by this incredible sculpture, not only leads to identifying the victim but also brings us closer to solving the murder."

Forensic experts from the sheriff's and medical examiner's offices exhumed the body in 2023 from the Mount Olive Baptist Church Cemetery in Lincoln. DNA samples were collected, but investigators have not been able to link the DNA profile to any close relatives. Investigators identified possible relatives that were too distant to make a close match.

The reconstruction shows a Black woman in her late 20s to early 30s, which match the findings of forensic anthropologists who have examined remains. The Jane Doe was described as 5 foot 7 and an estimated 145 pounds with black hair. She was wearing an orange blouse and knit pants, a plaid orange, blue, and white jacket, and size 5.5 ring on her right ring finger with a yellow gold ring and blue square Swarovski stone. The victim had manicured nails with purple and red nail polish at the time.

Detectives believe the Jane Doe victim may have been connected to Virginia, as well as Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, or Mississippi. Surnames linked to possible distant relatives are Booker, Shepherd, and Loving.

Mullins, who created the piece in his forensics figure sculpting art course, explained that George Mason University’s forensic science program helps students apply skills to real-life scenarios. Chapman and sheriff's office Detectives Mark Bush and Jorge Garcia, Sgt. Josh Edney and Maj. Bryan Wacker made a presentation on the case to Mullins’ class on Wednesday.

"First, George Mason forensic science assistant professor, Steven Burmeister collaborated with law enforcement to assist in the exhuming effort, using ground penetrating radar to locate the body," said Mullins. "Now this effort to create a portrait from the inside out allows students to experience art with a purpose, learning how to reconstruct facial features that could aid law enforcement agencies, such as the Loudoun County Sheriff’s office, to identify the victim in this unique way, which could help solve crimes and bring closure to victims’ families."

Anyone with information about the Jane Doe's identity can contact the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-777-1021 or anonymously contact Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.