Giving Her Name Back: A Timeline of My Search for the Clinton County Jane Doe (1975)

Hello readers! I have to start by saying that it is still completely WILD to me that so many of you want to read the words I write. This space has grown into such an incredible community, and I am endlessly grateful for your support.

Today’s post is going to look a little different. Like the title states, this is an informal timeline of events. Several of you—including my wonderful mom (hi Mom!)—have reached out asking for a deeper look into the specifics of how I began researching this case, and the steps I’ve taken behind the scenes to try and create real momentum for the Clinton County Jane Doe (1975).

I actually hesitated to write this out because, at the end of the day, this isn’t about me. Everything I have ever done while looking into this case has been driven by one single, solitary goal: helping this forgotten person get her identity back. However, I also know how overwhelming it can feel to start from scratch. I’m hoping that sharing my journey might serve as a guide or inspiration for others who want to start researching and advocating for unidentified individuals on their own.

So, here is the timeline of how we got here (or, at least, as much of it as my brain can remember, lol!).

2015: The Spark

This was the year I first stumbled across the "Unidentified Body" webpage on the Iowa Cold Cases database. The details hit me like a physical blow. The first thing that caught my eye was the incredibly wide age range listed for her. Realizing this victim could have been as young as 12 years old at the time of her death was absolutely heartbreaking. But reading on, the tragedy only deepened: she was also pregnant when her life was taken. It was completely unfathomable to me, and her story stayed with me.

2020: The Assignment and the FOIA

Fast forward to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many of you, listening to true crime podcasts quickly became part of my daily routine. I was listening to a specific podcast (which has since been cancelled) when the hosts issued a challenge to their listeners. They asked us to write to them about John and Jane Does we believed could be solved through the power of advanced DNA testing and/or genetic genealogy.

I didn’t hesitate. I emailed them almost immediately with everything I knew about the Clinton County Jane Doe. To my complete surprise, one of the hosts actually replied! They asked if there was viable DNA on file, and what type it was. They suggested I file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to look at the official case files. I eagerly submitted the request, but the hope was short-lived. Not long after, I received a standard, form typed letter from the Clinton County Sheriff. The verdict? Because the case was technically still "open and active," the files could not be released to the public.

Early 2021: A Chance Meeting

Life has a funny way of putting you exactly where you need to be. While co-hosting a charity basketball tournament for my employer, I was introduced to a recently retired law enforcement officer. It turned out to be the exact sheriff who had signed the letter denying my FOIA request.

Now, if you know me at all, you know I couldn't just let that pass by (lol). I had to bring it up. Luckily, he was an incredibly good sport about it and offered to tell me what he could. A few months later, I tracked him down on Facebook, and we set up a phone call. He was wonderful—he answered several of my burning questions regarding the DNA status and shed light on other aspects of the investigation. It was during this call that I learned a devastating piece of the puzzle: the Clinton County Jane Doe's remains had been buried in an unmarked, mass grave at Springdale Cemetery.

March 2024: A New Hope

In the years that followed, my life completely transformed. I started my career as a special education teacher, gave birth to my son, started working on my Master's degree and threw myself into the beautiful chaos of motherhood and teaching. Free time became a luxury I didn't have, but Clinton County Jane Doe was always in the back of my mind.

Then, one day, I was scrolling through a local news website and a headline caught my eye. It was a story about Dr. Jennifer Bengtson and her forensic anthropology students at Southeast Missouri State. They had just successfully identified a Jane Doe whose remains were recovered from the Mississippi River back in 1978. Because of their dedication, that woman was finally given her name back: Helen Renee Groomes, originally from Ottumwa, Iowa.

A lightbulb went off. If they could identify Helen after all these decades, why couldn't they do it for our Clinton County Jane Doe? I managed to find Dr. Bengtson’s email address online and reached out to her. She was incredibly gracious. We scheduled a virtual meeting to discuss the case and map out potential next steps. Dr. Bengtson provided invaluable advice and helped as much as her incredibly busy schedule allowed. Honestly, I could write an entire blog post just detailing our conversations (let me know in the comments if that’s something you’d want to read!). Per her guidance, my immediate next steps were clear: contact the current investigator and pinpoint exactly where in Springdale Cemetery the mass grave was located.

April 2024: Putting Plans into Action

Following Dr. Bengtson’s advice, I fired off emails to the investigator handling the case at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and the administration at Springdale Cemetery.

May 2024: Moving Up the Chain

The response came in. I received an email from a Clinton County Sheriff’s Deputy informing me that the Iowa Department of Public Safety had officially stepped into the investigation. Because of this, local authorities couldn't release information without state approval. However, he kindly connected me with Special Agent Marissa Mussmann at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Around this same time, through my own digging, I finally located the specific area of the cemetery where I believe the mass grave is situated.

August 2024: An Offer of Help

I finally heard back from Special Agent Mussmann. Understandably, she couldn't share specific details with me, but she did confirm she was actively reviewing the case and looking into what modern technologies could be utilized. I wrote back immediately, offering Dr. Bengtson’s expert assistance (with her permission, of course) to help identify Clinton County Jane Doe, as well as any other forgotten souls resting in that mass grave. Sadly, that email went unanswered.

March 2026: Fresh Eyes

After a period of silence, Dr. Bengtson reached out to me with an exciting update. She was working on another case in Iowa and had some fresh ideas on how we could put the spotlight back on the Clinton County Jane Doe. She suggested a direct approach: writing a formal letter to Special Agent James McMillan with the Iowa DCI Cold Case Unit. I sat down and penned the letter (again, let me know if you’d like me to share the contents of that letter in a future post!).

May 2026: The Latest Update

While waiting for a response from Agent McMillan, I decided to follow up with Special Agent Mussmann this month to see if she was still heading the investigation. She got back to me right away and confirmed that she is still the lead agent. The most exciting part? She shared that there is active movement on the case. While she cannot share the specifics publicly just yet, she promised to reach out to me the moment she is able to discuss the developments.

We are closer than we have ever been, readers. After decades in the dark, the wheels of justice and identity are turning for the Clinton County Jane Doe. Thank you for walking this path with me, for keeping her memory alive, and for caring about the people who have been left behind.

Stay tuned—I will share updates the very second I get them. What are your thoughts on the timeline? Let's discuss in the comments below!

I am also working on a write up of the Ben Roseland case, keep your eyes peeled for that in the coming weeks!