Murder victim ID'd 38 years after body found in lake by fisherman

It's taken 38 years, but Louisiana authorities person yet identified a female whose assemblage was recovered floating successful Lake Pontchartrain.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office said nan homicide victim's assemblage was recovered June 19, 1986, adjacent nan Interstate 10 Twin Span bridges adjacent to Slidell. For years, she was known only arsenic "Lake Lady Jane Doe."

The woman, who was recovered by a fisherman, was estimated to beryllium betwixt nan ages of 20 and 30 years old, stood 5'4" tall, and weighed 126 pounds, according to Othram, nan DNA laboratory that helped place her. 

The female has now been identified arsenic Pamela Lee Hupp, besides known arsenic Deborah Gail Justice, nan sheriff's agency said successful a news merchandise Tuesday. Hupp, who was calved successful April 1958, was pregnant astatine nan clip of her death, and her past known residence was successful Fort Lauderdale, Florida, authorities said.

"I want to convey nan galore investigators complete nan years who worked connected this lawsuit and sought retired disposable resources and exertion to place and springiness a sanction to nan victim," Sheriff Randy Smith said. "Our detectives will not extremity moving until they person identified and arrested nan person(s) responsible for Ms. Hupp's death."

The lawsuit began erstwhile a fisherman spotted Hupp's assemblage successful nan lake. Her assemblage was turned complete to nan parish coroner's office, which ruled nan decease a homicide. Despite aggregate attempts complete nan years, including DNA study and efforts aired connected "America's Most Wanted," Hupp's personality remained unknown.

The Louisiana State University (LSU) FACES Lab developed a forensic composite of what Jane Doe's look whitethorn person looked for illustration during her life, but nan lawsuit remained cold, according to Othram.

Finally, successful September 2022, a assistance from NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System) allowed for further DNA study and genealogy research.

Scientists astatine Othram successfully developed a DNA extract from nan grounds and past built a broad DNA floor plan for nan woman, nan laboratory said. Othram "used nan floor plan successful a familial genealogy hunt to create caller investigative leads that were returned to rule enforcement," nan laboratory said.

By April 2023, investigators had identified imaginable family members of nan unfortunate and were capable to corroborate Hupp's identity.

The Louisiana State University (LSU) FACES Lab developed a forensic composite of what Jane Doe's look whitethorn person looked for illustration during her life. Othram

The circumstances surrounding her decease stay nether investigation. Anyone pinch accusation connected nan lawsuit is asked to interaction nan sheriff's agency astatine (985) 898-2341.

In:
• Cold Case
• DNA
• Louisiana