A heartbreaking breakthrough has finally solved a 50-year mystery after a Pennsylvania teenager disappeared from school in 1973.
Authorities have identified the remains of Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, whose body was discovered hidden under a plastic tarp in a dense forest in 1973.
The young victim, who for half a century was known only as ‘Jane Doe,’ was just 14 years old when she disappeared after leaving her home in York County to go to school.
At a news conference Wednesday, Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Josh Lacey announced that genealogical testing had confirmed the identity of the decomposed remains that were found by two forest rangers on October 10, 1973.
His body was found 47 miles from the teen’s home.
The breakthrough came after a long process that involved the exhumation of the girl’s body from Mount Lebanon Cemetery in 2016.
Investigators then worked alongside the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The young victim, who for half a century was known only as ‘Jane Doe,’ has been identified as Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, who was just 14 years old when she disappeared after leaving her home in York County to go to school.
But still, the cause and manner of Ruthie’s death have not been determined.
State Trooper Ian Keck called the identification a “big step” but stressed the investigation is far from over.
“The fact that we identified her today does not end our investigation,” Trooper Ian Keck said at a news conference Thursday.
“Learning about his daily life and who he interacted with is a key part of this investigation.”
At a news conference Wednesday, Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Josh Lacey announced that genealogical testing had confirmed the decomposed remains that were found by two forest rangers in Lebanon County on October 10, 1973.
Police are now urgently asking anyone who knew Brenneman or has information about his disappearance to come forward.
Police are now urgently asking anyone who knew Brenneman or has information about his disappearance to come forward.
Ruth’s relatives thanked investigators in a statement, saying they had provided “certain questions that have lingered for the past 51 years.”