The identity of a woman whose body was discovered on July 20, 1977, in the Mississippi River has been revealed as Mary Jensen. Despite this significant development, details about her life remain scarce. Authorities estimated that Jensen was between the ages of 16 and 30 at the time of her death. She was described as standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds, with brown hair and either green or brown eyes.
The journey to uncover Jensen’s name was complex, involving forensic genealogists from the DNA Doe Project. Initial efforts to find her identity through American DNA databases yielded no results, prompting a search of international databases. This extensive investigation eventually led to the establishment of her family lineage, tracing back to grandparents who immigrated from Finland and discovering more than 35 relatives in Italy.
Gwen Knapp, a representative of the DNA Doe Project, highlighted the challenges faced in this case, stating, “The case was challenging due to distant matches and recent immigration from Finland and Italy.” She expressed gratitude to those who contributed their DNA profiles to GEDMatch.com, which facilitated the identification process. The project was financially supported by 28 donors who collectively raised $3,450 for this multi-party research, which also involved experts from HudsonAlpha Discovery and Saber Investigations.
Jensen is now recognized as one of seven successful identifications in Minnesota facilitated by the DNA Doe Project using investigative genetic genealogy techniques. Despite this progress, local authorities have not confirmed whether Jensen’s death is considered suspicious or if she had ties to the state of Minnesota. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office has not responded to inquiries regarding the current status of the case.
As the investigation continues, those interested in supporting the work of the DNA Doe Project can find more information on their official website, dnadoeproject.org. This case underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in solving cold cases and bringing closure to families affected by such tragedies.
