After 44 Years, Perry County’s "Girl with the Turquoise Jewelry" Is Identified as Doris Joanne Girtz

For more than 40 years, no one knew the identity of a young woman who was found dead by the Juniata River in Pennsylvania.

Her death remained a mystery for decades, and with little to go on, the case remained unsolved.

But now, DNA testing and forensic genealogy has finally has finally revealed her real name: Doris Joanne Girtz.

In June 1979, a stonemason found skeletal remains of a young woman along Route 22/322 in Watts Township, Perry County.

She was believed to be between 15 and 30 years old, had light brown to blonde hair, and was about 5 feet 6 inches tall.. 

What stood out most were the  pieces of turquoise jewelry she wore—a necklace, earrings, and rings, one of which had possible Southwest Native American origins.  

Despite extensive efforts, investigators couldn’t determine her cause of death, but the circumstances were reportedly suspicious. 

With no leads, she was buried, and the case went cold. 

Over the years, she became known by two names: Perry County Jane Doe and the “Girl with the Turquoise Jewelry,” according to DNASolves

In 2008, her remains were exhumed for DNA testing, and by 2009, her case was entered into NamUs (UP5166). 

A forensic sketch was made to help identify her, and in 2015, scientists at the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute used isotope testing to uncover some important clues:

• The isotopes in her hair showed she had likely spent time in the Southwestern United States before she died.

• The isotopes in her teeth suggested she probably grew up near the Great Lakes, possibly in Southern Canada.

Even with these effort, her identity remained a mystery—until 2023, when a breakthrough finally came through. 

The Pennsylvania State Police and Perry County District Attorney’s Office partnered with Othram, a cutting-edge forensic lab specializing in Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®. 

Using advanced DNA testing techniques, Othram built a comprehensive DNA profile and applied forensic genetic genealogy to trace potential relatives.  

Doris Joanne Girtz 

The Jewelry she wore (Source)

Using KinSNP® Rapid Relationship Testing, the "Girl with the Turquoise Jewelry" was finally identified as Doris Joanne Girtz after 44 years. 

 She was originally from Ravenna/Streetsboro, Ohio, and was about 23 years old at the time she went missing.

While Doris has been identified, the mystery of what happened to her remains unsolved.

Investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward. 

If you know anything about this case, contact the Pennsylvania State Police at 717-671-7500 (Case # H5-0149355).