The skeletal remains of a woman found in rural Indiana in 1982 have been identified as belonging to Connie Lorraine Christensen, a 20-year-old woman from Madison, Wisconsin.
Christensen was last seen in Nashville, Tennessee, in April 1982. She was believed to have been three to four months pregnant at the time. When she didn't return home as planned, her family reported her missing.
Eight months later, hunters found Christensen's remains in the fork of a tree in Jacksonburg, Indiana. The cause of death was undetermined, but authorities suspected foul play.
The case went cold for decades, but thanks to the DNA Doe Project, Christensen's family has finally received some answers. The DNA Doe Project is a non-profit organization that uses genetic genealogy to identify the remains of unidentified people.
In 2022, the Wayne County Coroner's Office partnered with the DNA Doe Project to try to identify Christensen's remains. Using DNA samples from Christensen's relatives, the DNA Doe Project was able to make a positive identification.
"We were fortunate enough to find two relatively close DNA relative matches in GEDmatch that led us to Connie's family," said Lori Flowers, team leader with the DNA Doe Project. "Taking a DNA test and uploading to GEDmatch is the best way for families of missing persons to help organizations like ours make these identifications."
Christensen's family is grateful for the DNA Doe Project's work in identifying their loved one's remains.
"Our hearts go out to Connie's family, and we were honored to bring them the answers they have sought for so long," said Missy Koski, another member of the DNA Doe Project.
The DNA Doe Project has now identified over 100 unidentified remains using genetic genealogy. Their work is helping to bring closure to families who have been searching for answers for decades.
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