‘Jane Tropicana Doe’: After 31 years, human remains found buried in Las Vegas desert have been identified
This week, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) announced that after 31 years of keeping an unsolved murder case open and active, the LVMPD Cold Case Section was finally able to identify a female murder victim as Linda Sue Anderson who went missing from Henderson, Nevada.
Background: On April 18, 1993, a biologist working in the desert area of Tropicana Avenue and Durango Drive, conducting a tortoise survey, discovered a handmade quilt half buried in the dirt with several large rocks placed on top of it. Upon closer examination, the biologist observed what appeared to be human hair and smelled a foul odor of decomposition. The LVMPD Homicide Section responded and took over the investigation.
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The Clark County Coroner’s office conducted an autopsy on the female remains and ruled her death to be a homicide that occurred mid to late 1991. At the time, investigative efforts were not able to provide am identification of the deceased victim, and she was given the name of Jane Tropicana Doe.
The case remained unsolved and was assigned to the LVMPD Homicide Cold Case Section. In February 2023, LVMPD Cold Case Investigators requested a forensic genetic genealogy investigation performed by Othram. With the help of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS) and the FBI, detectives were able to identify and contact possible family members who gave DNA samples for comparison.
On December 29, 2023, detectives were notified by Othram that Jane Tropicana Doe had been positively identified through DNA as Linda Sue Anderson, aka Andrews.
Cold Case Investigators learned through family members that Anderson, who was 38 years old, was living in Henderson, Nevada, at the time of her death. The family never heard from Anderson again after a phone call with her in June of 1991.
The LVMPD Homicide Cold Case Section is still investigating this case.
- Anyone with information about Linda Sue Anderson is urged to contact the Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com.
- To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of Nevada, Inc. at 702-385-5555 or crimestoppersofnv.com.
Video:
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(Source and cover photo of Linda Sue Anderson: LVMPD)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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