A heartbreaking breakthrough has finally solved a fifty-year mystery after a Pennsylvania teenager went missing from school in 1973.
Authorities have identified the remains of Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, whose body was discovered hidden under a plastic tarp in dense woods in 1973.
The young victim – known only as “Jane Doe” for half a century – was just 14 years old when she disappeared after leaving her York County home for school.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Sgt. Josh Lacey announced that genealogical testing had confirmed the identity of the decomposed remains found by two game wardens on October 10, 1973.
Her body was found 75 kilometers from the teen’s home.
The breakthrough came after a long process in which the girl’s body was exhumed from Mount Lebanon Cemetery in 2016.
Researchers then worked with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The young victim – known only as “Jane Doe” for half a century – has been identified as Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, who was just 14 years old when she disappeared after leaving her York County home for school.
Yet Ruthie’s cause and manner of death have not been determined.
State Trooper Ian Keck called the identification a “huge step” but emphasized that the investigation is far from over.
“The fact that we have identified her today does not mean that our investigation is over,” Trooper Ian Keck said at a news conference Thursday.
“Learning about her daily life and who she interacted with is an important part of this investigation.”
During a press conference on Wednesday, Sgt. Josh Lacey announced that genealogical testing had confirmed the decomposed remains found by two Lebanon County game wardens on October 10, 1973.
Police are now urgently asking anyone who knew Brenneman or has information about her disappearance to come forward
Police are now urgently asking anyone who knew Brenneman or has information about her disappearance to come forward.
Ruth’s relatives thanked investigators in a statement, saying they had provided “some closure to questions that have lingered over the past 51 years.”