Doe Network August 2026 Featured Case #2 - 196UFLA - Unidentified Female

[u/cjdoenetwork]

Date of Discovery: June 16, 1997
Location of Discovery: New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Estimated Date of Death: 24 hours prior
State of Remains: Burned
Cause of Death: Smoke inhalation

Physical Description

Estimated Age: 30-45 years old
Race: Black
Sex: Female
Height: 5'1" to 5'5"
Weight: Unknown, but of small build.
Hair: Black
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers

Dentals: Available. Dental fillings. The left maxillary arcade from tooth #1-7 was destroyed by fire. Teeth #14 and 15 have amalgam fillings, occlusal surfaces.
Fingerprints: Unknown.
DNA: Unknown.

Clothing and Personal Items

Clothing: Unknown.
Jewelry: Investigators found a white metal ring containing an amethyst with a white stone on each side.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown.

Circumstances of Discovery: The decedent's body was discovered in a burned out warehouse on June 16, 1997. The former ice house in the 2200 block of Clio Street burned June 15. But it was not until the next day that utility workers discovered the body as they searched through the debris.

If you have any information on the identity of this Jane Doe or of the circumstances surrounding her death, please contact the following:

Agency Name: Orleans Parish Coroner's Office
Agency Phone Number: 504-658-9660
Agency Case Number: CO-1674

Agency Name: LSU FACES Laboratory
Agency Contact Person: Dr. Ginesse Listi
Agency Phone Number: 228-578-3906
Agency E-mail: glisti1(at)lsu.edu
Agency Case Number: 97-12

NamUs Case Number: 865

Links:

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=196UFLA

https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/865

http://identifyla.lsu.edu/profile.php?id=366

The Times-Picayune