BLOOMINGTON, Sick. (WMBD) — A 43-year-old chilly case that was an unidentified lady in McLean County lastly has a decision.
Moxxy Forensic Investigations, in partnership with the McLean County Coroner’s Workplace and the McLean County Sheriff’s Workplace, positively recognized a lady whose stays have been found in rural McLean County in 1982.
One thing known as investigative genetic genealogical evaluation was used to establish Linda Cecilia Haddad, who was initially from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Haddad was 39 years outdated on the time of her demise.
Her stays have been found by a passerby, alongside US Route 136 between Le Roy and Bellflower at about 1:35 p.m. on Feb. 2, 1982.
Health workers on the time discovered there was no foul play in her demise, however nonetheless her identification remained a thriller.
She was initially described as being roughly 38-40 years outdated, 5’10” tall, with hazel eyes and black hair, weighing roughly 150 kilos.
The historical past of the case and the way it was solved is detailed by Moxxy Forensic Investigations’ press release and people particulars have been used to inform the remainder of the story.
The 1982 investigation
Further investigation by the McLean County Coroner’s Workplace, McLean County Sheriff’s Workplace and Illinois State Police investigators adopted up on appreciable leads and suggestions from the general public.
A locksmith in New York was recognized from a key on her keychain, however the lead ended there.
Investigators on the time positioned and interviewed a number of folks relating to “Jane Doe.” A number of folks reported giving her rides, or tried to help her indirectly, dropping her off when requested, at quite a few places between Clinton, Bloomington, Heyworth and Le Roy, Illinois.
In the course of the course of the investigation, the police experiences say those that gave rides or tried to help “Jane Doe” said among the issues she talked about appeared uncommon and her conduct appeared erratic. Some additionally reported she appeared agitated.
A passerby and an IDOT snowplow driver reportedly discovered “Jane Doe,” who we now know was Haddad. The best way she was discovered indicated her demise was self-inflicted.
However all of the leads explored all through 1982 to find out who she was have been unsuccessful. That included the involvement of a forensic anthropologist from the College of Oklahoma, together with further media releases.
Finally, results in determining who “Jane Doe” was dried up and by early December, she was buried in a rural Bloomington cemetery.
Following-up
In 2016, the McLean County Coroner’s Workplace was contacted by somebody who was researching the case and introduced some data that they had developed, but it surely didn’t result in her identification.
However “Jane Doe’s” DNA was uploaded to the Mixed DNA Index System (CODIS), and an entry for the McLean County “Jane Doe” was submitted to NamUs. No hits or leads have been developed from both add.
By January 2021, the coroner’s workplace acquired a phrase from another person researching the case. Based mostly on the power of the knowledge for a doable candidate, the case was reopened. Finally, it was decided via comparability of DNA samples that “Jane Doe” was not the lacking particular person from the tip.
However right now, a evaluate of the 1982 experiences compiled by the concerned legislation enforcement businesses was undertaken, and a timeline was developed to achieve a greater understanding of her actions previous to her demise.
Turning factors
Then, in Aug. 2023, an investigative genetic genealogist with Moxxy Forensic Investigations contacted the McLean County Sheriff’s Legal Investigation Division in regards to the chilly case.
Moxxy’s mission is to establish beforehand unidentified deceased folks and perpetrators of violent crimes, along with their advocacy for lacking particular person instances.
The businesses met and Moxxy initiated a fundraising marketing campaign. The objective was achieved in November 2024 and Moxxy began work with genealogical evaluation in February 2025.
By late March, the crew had developed a possible candidate for “Jane Doe.” Dwelling genetic family members of “Jane Doe” have been recognized, and a pattern from one was taken and instantly in comparison with her profile, with their shut genetic relationship confirming the identification of Haddad.
Aug. 1, 2025, a remaining spherical of comparative testing decided “Jane Doe” was, the truth is, Linda Cecilia Haddad, born August 27, 1942, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The science
The assertion from Moxxy mentioned the company partnered with Atlanta, Georgia-based Genologue to sequence an current DNA profile and Parabon NanoLabs of Reston, Virginia, to conduct bioinformatics. A digital equipment was developed and uploaded to the general public DNA database GEDmatch.
Seven of Moxxy’s investigative genetic genealogists carried out a month-long investigation earlier than growing a viable lead that finally linked Haddad’s DNA profile with family members who have been in a position to help in confirming her identification.
“Linda’s case is a strong reminder of what might be achieved when science, compassion, and willpower come collectively,” mentioned Kaycee Connelly, case lead and co-founder of Moxxy Forensic Investigations.
Haddad’s household
A press release from Haddad’s household mentioned, “household and pals love her and have missed her tremendously. We need to categorical our deepest condolences gratitude to the devoted people at Moxxy Forensic Investigations, McLean County Coroner’s Workplace and the McLean County Sheriff’s Division, who went to nice lengths to establish and find us. We additionally need to thank the folks of Le Roy, Illinois, who helped and cared for Linda in her time of want. After 42 years of looking out and questioning, we’re relieved to lastly have some solutions.”
Closing the case
“I need to prolong my heartfelt appreciation to the expert professionals at Moxxy Forensic Investigations and their companions,” mentioned McLean County Sheriff Matt Lane. “Their experience and dedication have been instrumental in serving to us deliver decision to this case and, most significantly, closure to the household and everybody impacted.”
The sheriff additionally acknowledged “the excellent investigators from each the Sheriff’s Workplace and the Coroner’s Workplace, previous and current, who labored tirelessly to retrace Linda’s steps and finally uncover her identification. Their dedication to resolving this investigation and compassion for the sufferer won’t be forgotten.”
This was McLean County’s solely unidentified particular person case.
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