Philadelphia Jane Doe/”Tara” (January 1999)
- DATE OF DISCOVERY: January 20th, 1999
- LOCATION OF DISCOVERY: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
- ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: 1999
- POSTMORTEM INTERVAL: 1 day
- CONDITION OF REMAINS: Recognizable face
- CAUSE OF DEATH: Suspected drug overdose
- SEX: Female
- ESTIMATED AGE: 30 – 45 years old
- RACE: African American
- WEIGHT (MEASURED): 178 pounds (80.74 kg)
- HEIGHT (MEASURED): 5’8” (68 inches; 172.72 cm)
- EYE COLOUR: Brown
- HAIR: Black (medium length)
- DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES:
- Right earlobe pierced once
- Left earlobe pierced twice
- Multiple scars/marks, including –
- ABDOMEN: Multiple striae (stretch marks)
- RIGHT ARM (LATERAL): ½ inch round scar
- MEDIAL TO THE RIGHT CUBITAL FOSSA (ELBOW PIT): 1-inch elliptical scar
- RIGHT WRIST (DORSAL): Several well-healed, superficial, parallel linear scars
BACKGROUND
On January 20th, 1999, a woman’s body was discovered in a vacant property in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The woman was discovered with a syringe in one of her hands. She is believed to have been deceased approximately 1 day prior to her discovery.
The woman is described African American between 30 to 45 years old. She weighed 178 pounds and stood at 5’8” in height. She had brown eyes and brown, medium-length hair. Her right earlobe was pierced once, and her left earlobe was pierced twice.
She had multiple striae (stretch marks) on her abdomen, a ½-inch round scar on her right lateral arm, a 1-inch elliptical scar located medial to the right cubital fossa (elbow pit), and several well-healed, superficial, parallel linear scars on her dorsal right wrist.
She was found wearing a black bra, white shoes, white socks, and a white metallic-like ring with all the stones missing which was on her left ring finger. A blue shirt, yellow jacket, green pants, and pink underwear are noted on NamUs as “near the body” but I can only assume she was wearing these as she had other clothing on. A glassine packet was found, as well as a syringe which was in one of her hands.
As per NamUs, she had a “…possible first name of “Tara””. I cannot find any more information on her or her case sadly.
CLOTHING/ITEMS – On the body, the following was noted
- Black bra (No brand or size noted)
- Two white shoes (No brand or size noted)
- Two white socks (No brand or size noted)
- White metallic-like ring with all stones missing – located on her left ring finger
- Syringe (located in one of her hands)
Near the body, the following was noted
- Blue shirt (No brand or size noted)
- Yellow jacket (No brand or size noted)
- Green pants (No brand or size noted)
- Pink underwear (No brand or size noted)
- Glassine packet
IDENTIFIERS
- Dentals: Unknown
- Fingerprints: Unknown
- DNA: Unknown
INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION
AGENCY ONE
- Agency Name: Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office
- Agency Contact Person: Jamie Willer (Medicolegal Death Investigator)
- Agency Phone Number: 215-685-7445
- Agency Case Number: 99-0390
OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS
- NamUs Case Number: #UP17091
- DoeNetwork Case Number: 1990UFPA
REFERENCES