On December 6, 1993, landscapers working in Centreville stumbled upon a woman’s skeletal remains at the base of a cedar tree. Detectives arrived shortly after and gathered what evidence they could — jewelry, a red comb, a yellow barrette, and decayed clothing.
A medical examiner determined the woman, believed to be between 28 and 39 years old, had suffered several stab and knife wounds to her upper body.
Her identity, however, remained a mystery until just weeks ago, when advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing shed new light on the cold case, according to Fairfax County detectives.
Friends and family said they last heard from Sharon Kay Abbott Lane sometime around 1987, according to the detectives. Those who knew her believed she was living in Fairfax County, but there had been no contact. Sometime in 1990 or 1991, her father’s phone rang. The anonymous woman on the other end of the line told him his daughter was dead.
For nearly three decades, there were no developments. But thanks to recent collaboration with the Texas-based genetics company Othram, Inc., Fairfax County Cold Case detectives, using advanced genome sequencing, DNA testing, and genealogy technology, finally had a lead.
Working with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, Fairfax County detectives used newly available information to establish contact with the relative. This, in turn, yielded additional connections who were able to track down Lane’s brother, and eventually, her children.
A DNA sample was submitted. Othram confirmed the match.
“The tragic death of Sharon Kay Abbott Lane is now closer to being solved with the help of advanced DNA testing,” said Major Ed O’Carroll of the department’s Major Crimes, Cyber and Forensics Bureau, in a statement. “Our detectives will use this new information to continue to seek justice for the victim in this case. We encourage anyone who may have known Sharon or her associates to contact our detectives.”
In the wake of Lane’s identification, specialists from the Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division are providing appropriate resources and assistance to the victim’s family, the department said.
Anyone with knowledge of the case can contact the department, which can be done anonymously, at 1-866-411-8477. Tips can also be submitted to the department’s crime solvers website.
Feature image, Andrew/stock.adobe.com
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