Thanks to advances in forensic DNA analysis, skeletal remains discovered in a ditch 21 years ago have finally been recognised as those of a missing kid.
Nearly 50 years after Patricia Agnes Gildawie, often known by the nickname “Choubi,” vanished, her family is still anxiously looking for information.
Remains discovered in Fairfax County, Virginia, in 2001 were positively identified as those of the missing 17-year-old on Monday, according to WJLA, giving them a sense of closure.
The workmen discovered clothing close to the bodies found in a drainage ditch.
An anthropologist and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner initially examined the bones and determined that a gunshot wound was the cause of death.
Authorities came to the conclusion that the deceased was most likely an African-American woman in her teens or 20s.
Recently, the authorities and the advanced DNA and forensic genome sequencing company Ortham, Inc. collaborated to advance the cold case.
According to The Washington Post, detectives were able to link Patricia with her half-sister, 66-year-old Veronique Duperly.
Veronique, who was plastering flyers all over Fairfax after her sister vanished on February 8, 1975, said that the victim vanished at the age of 17.
She was born in France, but her family emigrated to the US when she was just eight months old.
A mystery that has been ongoing for more than 47 years is now solved with the identification of this young woman, according to Ed O’Carroll, Bureau Commander of Major Crimes and Cyber and Forensics.
“Our community may rest well knowing that our investigators are constantly working on these situations.
Before she disappeared without a trace, Patricia was dating an older man, according to the police.
According to reports, he was employed by a Vienna, Virginia, upholstery shop.
Police are encouraging anybody with information pertinent to the case to call the Crime Solver phone line at 1-866-411-TIPS, or visit their website.
Cash rewards for those who give Crime Solver tips range from $100 to $1,000.
Authorities are carrying out their investigation using the new evidence provided by her loved ones; however, it is yet unknown whether any charges have been brought in connection with the case.
“Advancements in technology have given my Cold Case detectives an opportunity to pursue fresh leads and bring some relief to families that have been long-suffering with the unknown,” O’Carroll said.
