Skeletal remains found in Washington in 1997 recently identified

WILKESON, Wash. (TCN) — Investigators recently identified the skeletal remains of a homicide victim found nearly 28 years ago.

According to a news release from genetic genealogy company Othram Labs, in October 1997, an individual walking through the woods found a woman’s remains on Gale Creek Road. Despite their efforts, authorities were unable to identify the victim at the time, and she became a Jane Doe.

In October 2023, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office sent forensic evidence to Othram Labs to help identify the victim, and scientists built a comprehensive genealogical profile. Investigators reportedly obtained DNA samples from potential relatives and compared them to the victim’s DNA profile. As a result, Othram said in an April 8 news release that they identified the victim as Laurie Krage. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

According to the sheriff’s office, Krage’s husband, Ronald Martin, died in 2020 from natural causes. Deputies said Krage was “known to travel in all parts of Pierce County,” and they are seeking any information from people who may have known her. Krage was last known to be alive in January 1996.

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