The discovery of the skeletal remains of a homicide victim in Florida in 1985 has finally brought closure to a decades-old mystery. The victim, identified as Mary Alice Pultz from Maryland, had not been in contact with her family for over a decade before her remains were found in a shallow grave on Crescent Beach in St. Johns County, Florida.
The case remained unsolved until 2011 and 2012 when renewed efforts by the University of South Florida led to the development of a forensic composite of the victim and DNA testing on the remains. Despite sharing information online that generated leads, the woman’s identity remained a mystery for several years.
In 2022, investigators from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office attended a class on forensic genetic genealogy, a method that uses DNA analysis and genealogy records to identify individuals. Evidence from the remains was submitted to Othram, a company specializing in forensic genealogy, which developed a DNA profile and searched genealogical records to find potential relatives of the victim.
After an extensive follow-up investigation, the victim was identified as Mary Alice Pultz, who had lost contact with her family around 1968. Rumors circulating about Pultz’s murder suggested that she had been killed by her boyfriend in either Florida or Georgia. The investigation into her murder is still ongoing.
Pultz is survived by one sibling, her younger sister who is now 72 years old. She expressed relief at finally knowing what happened to her sister after years of uncertainty. The identification of Pultz brings closure to her family and opens a new chapter in the investigation into her tragic death.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of forensic science and genetic genealogy in solving cold cases and bringing justice to victims and their families. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and Othram are committed to continuing their efforts to seek justice for Mary Alice Pultz and bring closure to her family..
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