Back in 2006, the remains of a Black woman were discovered in Detroit, Mi. After nearly two decades of trying to make out the identity of the woman, we finally have an answer. However, authorities also made another grisly discovery as to how she died.
In June 2006, the body of a Black woman between the age of 20 and 30 years old was found in an abandoned house, per the Detroit Police Department. She was an estimated five feet in height. However, those are the only things they could gather about who she was. Authorities determined she died days prior to her body being found and her death was ruled a homicide, Othram Inc said in a statement.
Over the next few years, a forensic composite produced by the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System displaying how the woman might have looked while alive was published, Othram stated. However, no one came forward to identify the face. It wasn’t until 2022 that the DPD joined forces with Othram to attempt DNA testing combined with forensic genetic genealogy. Luckily, a DNA profile was developed and researchers used that to help police track down potential family members, the research company said.
Investigators were then finally able to rename Jane Doe as Darylnn Washington, a woman born in June of 1959. Though, the question still remained of how she died or, rather, who killed her.
Throughout follow-up investigations, authorities said Washington’s family believed one of their relatives was killed by a serial killer but they could never locate her body. Othram stated Washington was most likely the victim of Detroit-based serial killer Shelly Brooks who is alleged to have confessed to her murder.
Brooks is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted in the killings of two women, per The Associated Press. It’s unclear how the two would have met each other. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals wrote in a 2008 ruling, he taunted women by paying them for sex and stashed their remains in vacant residential buildings, garages and fields.
Of the two victims he was found guilty of slaying, it’s unclear if one of them was Washington.
Though coming to a heartbreaking conclusion, Washington’s family can finally have closure after nearly two decades of wondering if the cold case would ever be solved.