Investigators identify 1971 cold case homicide victim; 2 siblings reunited

HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (TCN) — Investigators recently identified a cold case homicide victim from Pennsylvania who was found in a field in Howard County, Maryland, nearly 54 years ago.

According to the Howard County Police Department, in July 1971, a woman was discovered unconscious in a field after an apparent assault, and she was transported to a hospital, where she succumbed to her wounds around two months later. Despite investigators’ efforts, her identity remained unknown, and the case went cold.

In a Sept. 4 news release, officials said they were able to identify the Jane Doe as Sadie Murray due to advancements in DNA profiling. She was reportedly born in 1924 in Pennsylvania, and she went by Sarah Sharkey at the time of her death.

According to police, investigators were also able to identify her two children as 76-year-old Charles Sharkey and 81-year-old Mildred Cantwell Sharkey. They were notified and reunited in July.

Officers said the victim’s death investigation remains ongoing. Investigators believe she was last residing in Pennsylvania, and they’re looking into why she was in Howard County and who she was with.

Police Chief Gregory Der said, “The work done by our cold case unit to solve a mystery of more than 50 years and then bring siblings back together after 70 years apart is nothing short of extraordinary. Our department will use every tool available to help close cases. In this instance, a combination of advanced technology and dedicated police work provided answers that had eluded a family for decades.”

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