Reconstruction of the victim; close-up of teeth; personal items.
Date of Discovery: July 20, 1997
Location of Discovery: Camden, Kent County, Delaware
Estimated Date of Death: Months prior (1996-1997)
State of Remains: Skeletal
Cause of Death: Homicide by beating
Physical Description
Estimated Age: 40-60 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'3" to 5'8"
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Skeletal pathology of the distal, right radius and ulna noted. Evidence of healing. Individual probably had broken right wrist quite some time before death. Also evidence of healing of 5th right metacarpal. Possibly suffered from arthritic knees.
Identifiers
Dentals: Available. The victim wore an upper denture. When the remains were recovered, the left canine tooth was missing from the denture.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Unknown.
Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Unknown.
Jewelry: Black wrist watch. Large blue hair clip found in hair.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown.
Circumstances of Discovery
The victim was located in a wooded area, at Del. 10 at Mahans Corner Road, east of Sandtown, 6 miles Southwest of Camden, DE.
Blunt force trauma was found on the left side of the skull. Because her body was nude, the medical examiner noted sexual assault was possible.
Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Medical Examiner Unit Delaware Div. of Forensic Science
Agency Contact Person: Patrick Quigley
Agency Phone Number: 302-577-3420
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 1997-K-0363
Delaware Division of Forensic Science Teams with Othram to Identify a 1997 Homicide Victim
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Delaware Division of Forensic Science Teams with Othram to Identify a 1997 Homicide Victim
In 2022, the Delaware Division of Forensic Science submitted forensic evidence to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas where scientists worked to extract DNA from the provided evidence. A comprehensive DNA profile was developed using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to enable forensic genetic genealogy research. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team worked to develop new leads in the case, which were returned to law enforcement for a follow-up investigation.
The follow-up investigation led investigators to potential relatives of the woman. A reference DNA sample was collected from a possible relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown woman using KinSNP® rapid relationship testing. This investigation led to the positive identification of the woman, who is now known to be Yvonne Hollister.
Funding for the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy used in this case was provided by NamUs, a national program that assists the criminal justice community with the investigation and resolution of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States and its territories. NamUs is funded and administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and is managed through a contract with Research Triangle Institute International. We are grateful for the support of RTI, NamUs, and the NIJ.
