The Last Clue
The Last Clue is a gripping true crime podcast that dives into the heart of unresolved mysteries, cold cases, and unsolved murders. Each episode investigates real-life criminal cases, offering an in-depth exploration of the facts, theories, and the chilling stories behind the crimes that remain unresolved. From high-profile disappearances to decades-old cold cases, the podcast unravels the twists and turns of these unsettling stories, presenting new evidence and fresh perspectives. Through expert interviews, detailed research, and thought-provoking discussions, The Last Clue seeks to shine a light on the cases that still haunt investigators, and the families left seeking justice. If you're captivated by the intricacies of real-life mysteries and the relentless pursuit of truth, this is a must-listen. As always, we continue the search for The Last Clue.
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The Last Clue
"Toledo Jane Doe" Identified Nearly 40 Years Later; Major Questions Remain
Authorities in Ohio have identified the remains of "Toledo Jane Doe," a woman whose body was discovered burned behind an auto repair shop in 1987. The Toledo Police Department confirmed on Tuesday that the remains belong to Tammy Lowe, an 18-year-old from Michigan, who was found dead on June 16, 1987.
Nearly 38 years ago, a driver traveling on Interstate 75 noticed flames from the highway and pulled over to investigate. Upon entering an alley behind a closed auto shop, the driver discovered a human body burning. Investigators later revealed that the victim had a blue plastic bag over her head.
The coroner's report indicated that Lowe had received minimal dental care, citing significant decay in her teeth. Over the years, authorities linked the case to missing persons reports, including those from the Cleveland area, and entered her DNA into CODIS, a national criminal database. However, no matches were found.
A forensic artist with Michigan State Police even created a clay reconstruction of her face to generate new leads, but the case went cold. As DNA technology advanced, a breakthrough came through Investigative Genetic Genealogy, which can match DNA samples to distant relatives using publicly available ancestry databases.
In October 2024, The Porchlight Project, a non-profit dedicated to funding Ohio cold case investigations, stepped in to support Toledo Police by financing further genetic genealogy DNA testing through Othram, a Texas-based forensic genetic genealogy company. Othram's analysis eventually pointed to a potential relative in Michigan. A final DNA test confirmed that the remains belonged to Tammy Lowe.
Despite the identification, the circumstances surrounding Lowe’s death remain unclear. The coroner determined she had likely died a day or two before her body was discovered.
In June 1987, the body of the young woman was found wrapped in a pink cloth behind an auto repair shop near Collingwood Boulevard and Interstate 75 in Toledo. She was dressed in Jordache jeans, with pink-painted toenails and five piercings in each ear. At the time of her death, she was estimated to be between 16 and 20 years old, standing 5'4" to 5'7" tall and weighing about 110 pounds. It appeared that her body had been set on fire to destroy evidence.
For years, the woman remained unidentified, and her case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP4778. A forensic sketch was released in hopes of generating leads, but she became known as Toledo Jane Doe. It wasn’t until 2024 that advances in genetic testing and the support of The Porchlight Project led to the identification of Tammy Lowe, whose death is still under investigation.