Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 1978 Homicide Victim
dnasolves.com
In 2024, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas where scientists determined that advanced DNA testing could help identify the woman. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® built a comprehensive DNA profile for the woman. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.
These leads powered a follow-up investigation, leading investigators to potential relatives of the woman. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified woman using Othram's KinSNP® testing. This investigation led to the positive identification of the woman, who is now known to be Patricia "Patsy" Ann Falls Ritchie, of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Patsy, born on December 3, 1953, was married to Donnie Wayne Ritchie.
Investigators believe Patsy Ritchie left the Harrisonburg, Virginia area in 1976 or 1977 when she was 23 or 24 years old. She was last seen at a truck stop in Harrisonburg getting into a truck with an unknown person. Investigators continue to work to determine exactly when Patsy came to Florida and are seeking information from individuals who may have known or encountered her in the years preceding her death.
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