In December 1982, a real estate agent working in the quiet community of Loxahatchee, Florida, made a chilling discovery that would haunt investigators for decades.
While assessing land along Okeechobee Boulevard and F Road, the agent stumbled upon the scattered remains of a woman.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office quickly determined that the victim, a middle-aged white female, had been shot in the head.
Her death was ruled a homicide, but despite exhaustive efforts, her identity remained a mystery.
For over 40 years, she was known only as “Jeweled Mom,” a name derived from the five pieces of jewelry found with her body.
Now, thanks to cutting-edge DNA technology, her true identity has finally been revealed: she was 37-year-old Leona Jean Keller.
The Discovery and the Mystery
The case began on a quiet Sunday morning in 1982 when the real estate agent found the woman’s remains scattered across the fields and gravel roads, likely disturbed by animal activity.
Investigators determined that she was between 24 and 34 years old, stood about 5’3” to 5’6” tall, and had brown shoulder-length hair.
She was wearing distinctive jewelry, including a silver heart-shaped pinky ring, a gold mariner’s anchor necklace with a 180-degree twist, a wristwatch, a four marquis cut ring, and a diamond ring with a 14K white gold setting.
These items suggested she was a middle-class woman who may have been a mother of two or more children.
Detectives also noted she wore pink frosted nail polish and was likely a cigarette smoker.
Despite these clues, the woman’s identity remained elusive.
A traditional DNA profile was developed and entered into CODIS, the national DNA database, but no matches were found.
Over the years, investigators pursued every lead, including sending dental records to over 2,000 Florida dentists and entering her case into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP16715.
Still, the mystery persisted.
A Breakthrough in Forensic Science
In 2021, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Othram, a Texas-based company specializing in forensic genetic genealogy, to apply advanced DNA testing to the case.
Othram’s scientists used Forensic Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile from the forensic evidence.
This cutting-edge technology allowed them to generate new leads by tracing the woman’s genetic genealogy.
The breakthrough came when investigators identified potential relatives of the victim.
A reference DNA sample collected from one of these relatives matched the DNA profile of “Jeweled Mom,” confirming her identity as Leona Jean Keller.
This marked the 36th case in Florida where Othram’s technology has successfully identified a previously unknown individual.
The Significance of the Identification
For decades, Leona Jean Keller’s family lived without answers, wondering what had happened to their loved one.
Her identification not only brings closure to her family but also reignites the investigation into her murder.
Detective John Cogburn of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the importance of this breakthrough, stating, “Some of this jewelry is not cheap jewelry—probably intimate stuff she wore all of the time.
This was someone’s mother, someone’s daughter.”
The funding for this advanced DNA testing was provided by NamUs, a national program that assists in resolving missing and unidentified person cases.
NamUs, funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and managed by Research Triangle Institute International, play a critical role in bringing justice to victims and their families.
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| The pieces of jewelry found on Leona Jean Keller (Source) |
What’s Next?
With Leona Jean Keller’s identity now known, investigators are turning their attention to solving her murder.
They are urging anyone with information about her disappearance or the jewelry found with her remains to come forward.
If you recognize the jewelry or have any information about this case, you are encouraged to contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 800-458-TIPS.
This case is a testament to the power of modern forensic science and the tireless efforts of law enforcement.
After 40 years, Leona Jean Keller is no longer just “Jeweled Mom”—she is a woman whose story is finally being told, and whose family can now begin to heal.
As Colby Lasyone, Chief of Staff at Othram, noted, “Using these advanced tools, we expect to be able to continue to help solve cases and get resolution for even more victims and their families.”
Leona’s story is a reminder that no case is ever truly cold and that with persistence and innovation, justice can still be found, even decades later.
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