Investigators identify remains of 45-year-old cold-case victim. Here are the details

Investigators say they have identified the body of a white female homicide victim between the age of 20 and 25 that was discovered, wrapped in a blanket, in an illegal landfill located approximately one mile south of the old Byram Swinging Bridge in an illegal landfill in Rankin County in September 1978.

Using DNA testing on the remains of the “Jane Doe” victim’s body exhumed in April 2022, the Rankin County Coroner's Office positively identified the female homicide victim as Tonya Lea Wills Mullins. Mullins was born on May 12, 1956, in Potter, Texas, and was 22 years old when she disappeared. She was married and had two children, according to a press release.

“For more than four decades, years after the discovery of the remains, investigators pursued several leads across the United States and Canada in hopes of uncovering her identity,” the press release from dnasolves.com states. “However, despite the investigative efforts, all leads were exhausted, and the case went cold. In April 2021, the case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP79780. The case did not match to known missing persons.”

Rankin County Coroner David Ruth and his deputy, Heather Smith, found renewed interest in the 1978 Jane Doe case after Ohio officials contacted them about a similar unsolved case.

“As a result, Ruth filed a petition with the courts to exhume the victim’s body,” according to the statement. “After considering the evidence, Judge Dewey Arthur approved the exhumation.

Officials suspended over dog shooting:Police chief, animal officer suspended; community wants them fired after shooting dogs

Millions of gallons leaking:One pipe leaks 5 million gallons a day in Jackson, Mississippi

“Ruth collected, prepared, and shipped the forensic evidence in hopes of obtaining a DNA extraction that would ultimately lead to the female homicide victim’s identification. Carla Davis, a Mississippi native and philanthropist committed to helping the state resolve its backlog of unsolved cases, funded the exhumation, and committed to funding the casework necessary to identify the victim.

“Unfortunately, the first two attempts at DNA testing failed at a previous lab. Carla and the Rankin County investigators then decided to make a third attempt at Othram, which at that point had helped produce identifications for more than a dozen other challenging forensics cases in Mississippi.

“In July 2022, forensic evidence was sent to Othram for advanced DNA testing. Othram was able to produce a suitable DNA extract from the skeletal remains that previously failed elsewhere. Next, Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to produce a comprehensive genealogical profile for the 1978 Jane Doe. Carla Davis, now Othram’s Chief Genetic Genealogist, used the genealogical profile to find potential relatives of the victim. A potential close relative to the unknown victim was found and in conjunction with additional DNA testing, investigators confirmed the investigative leads delivered by Othram.”

Authorities continue to investigate the death to determine what happened to Tonya, the press release states.

“We are very appreciative to everyone that helped shepherd this case from the original crime scene to the exhumation, DNA testing, and investigative process that finally led to the restoration of Tonya's identity,” the release states.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS remains of 45-year-old cold case victim identified