Date of Discovery: February 24, 1986
Location of Discovery: Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
Estimated Date of Death: 1 day prior
State of Remains: Recognizable face
Cause of Death: Homicide by manual strangulation
Physical Description
Estimated Age: 25-40 years old
Race: White
Sex: Female
Height: 5'0" to 5'6"
Weight: 115 to 135 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown, slightly wavy.
Eye Color: Green
Distinguishing Marks/Features: V-shaped scar on her upper left arm.
Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: White bra.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Brown blanket.
Circumstances of Discovery
The victim was located lying near the curb in the vicinity of the 1300 block of Kuroki Street, covered with a brown blanket. The location is east of Hillside Park.
Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Tarrant County Medical Examiner
Agency Contact Person: Nizam Peerwani
Agency Phone Number: 817-920-5700 ext 161 or 817-920-5700
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 860619T
Agency Name: Fort Worth Police Department Cold Case Team
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 817-392-4222
Agency E-Mail: missingpersons(at)fortworthpd.com
Agency Case Number: 86087440
Agency Name: Texas Department of Public Safety
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 512-424-5074
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: U0804006
NCIC Case Number: U960020439
NamUs Case Number: 4476
Former Hot Case Number: 1509
Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 1986 Homicide Victim
dnasolves.com
Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team worked to generate new investigative leads in the case, which were provided to law enforcement. Genealogical research identified members of the McLerran family as potential relatives. A man who investigators believed to be the brother of Jane Doe voluntarily provided a DNA reference sample.
A comparison of Floyd's DNA sample against the DNA profile of the woman's demonstrated a biological sibling relationship. Based on these findings and information provided by Floyd McLerran, the woman's brother, the TCME conclusively identified the woman as Brenda Darnell McLerran Smith, born February 23, 1950.
Floyd McLerran reported that his sister Brenda disappeared in the mid-1980s after leaving home to hitchhike to Dallas. Anyone with information related to the 1986 homicide of Brenda McLerran is encouraged to contact the Fort Worth Police Department’s Homicide Unit by calling 817-392-4330.
