Cumberland River Jane Doe remains unidentified 26 years after murder

Sierra Rains
·2 min read
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Just a little over 26 years ago, a tugboat captain heading down the Cumberland River spotted what appeared to be a body floating in the water near Cleese’s Ferry and Harbor Marina.

When rescue crews went to pull the body from the river on March 17, 1998, they got a clearer picture of the grisly scene. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the partially clothed woman had been shot in the head twice before being placed in the river.

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It’s believed she died only hours before she was found, but even after more than two decades, her identity remains unknown. Today, many people know her simply as the “Cumberland River Jane Doe.”

However, investigators are still trying to piece together the mystery. One of the main clues in the case comes from a witness who reported seeing a woman matching the Jane Doe’s description only a day before her body was found in the Cumberland River.

Cumberland River Jane Doe (Courtesy: NamUS, modified)
Cumberland River Jane Doe (Courtesy: NamUS, modified)

The sighting reportedly happened at a store on Music Valley Drive in Donelson. The witness told police the woman was with a man, whose identity is also still unclear. At the time, the witness said the woman was wearing a white Tweety Bird shirt with black pants and a gold Zodiac necklace.

Many similar articles of clothing were found on the “Cumberland River Jane Doe,” including a gold Zodiac necklace with a “LEO” emblem. Police said she was also wearing black nylon pants with a “Looney Tunes” Tweety Bird logo, one white Reebok tennis shoe and two rings.

UNSOLVED TENNESSEE: Find more of the state’s cold cases, missing persons, and other mysteries →

Detectives believe the woman was likely between the ages of 45 and 55 years old when she was killed. She had green eyes and wavy, light brown hair that was about five inches long, weighed around 170 pounds and was about 5-feet, 2-inches tall.

Notably, police said the woman also had about $10,000 worth of dental work done. Anyone who may have information on the woman’s identity or her alleged killer is asked to contact the MNPD’s Cold Case Unit at 615-862-7803.

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