DOJ seeks help to identify human remains from Florence County

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WGBW) – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation needs the public’s help in identifying human skeletal remains discovered in Florence County.

On October 28, 2022, a hunter found human skeletal remains in a wooded area of Florence County. The DOJ has been investigating and attempting to identify the remains. 

Based on data received from forensic examinations conducted on the remains, including dental examinations and a soil assessment of the area where the body was found, investigators believe she was an adult female, between 30 and 83 at the time of her death. She was between 4’8” and 5’4” tall and was white and/or Hispanic. 

Investigators believe she had been deceased for two to 15 years before the remains were discovered.

Over the past three years, the DOJ, Wisconsin State Crime Lab, law enforcement, and other laboratories have utilized DNA technology, but have been unable to identify the person. International and national databases and software have also been used to identify the individual, but the results have been ineffective. 

Using the data received from the forensic examinations, a DCI Forensic Artist and a Michigan State Police (MSP) Forensic Artist completed composite sketches. These images are three renditions of possible features the individual may have had when alive.

Law enforcement is asking the public to look at the composite sketches in an attempt to identify the individual. 

If anyone has information about the identity of the individual or their death, they should contact the DCI mainline at 608-266-1671 or the Florence County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch non-emergency number at 715-528-3346. Please reference Florence County Jane Doe, DCI case 22-7814, when calling.

DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Crime Lab, the Florence County Coroner’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and numerous other local and out-of-state law enforcement agencies and forensic professionals.

The composite sketches may also be viewed on the Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children & Adults website.

A National Missing and Unidentified Persons (NamUs) profile was previously established for this unknown person and should be used as a reference for the public. The profile number is UP98425.