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After more than four decades, authorities have finally identified the body of a teenage girl found in a dumpster in Freeport in 1982. The breakthrough in this cold case came through the use of investigative genealogy, a growing tool in law enforcement.
The victim has been confirmed as Susan Mann, a 15-year-old girl from Hollis, Queens, who went missing in 1980. Her identity was unknown for over 40 years, and until now, she was referred to only by investigators and local media as the “mummy” girl, a name stemming from the condition in which her body was found.
The body was discovered in a dumpster near Cantor Glass Works, close to the intersection of North Main Street and Mt. Joy Avenue. At the time, Nassau homicide detectives even enlisted the help of the American Museum of Natural History in their efforts to identify the victim.
Now, police have released Susan Mann’s photo along with an image of the necklace she was wearing when her remains were found. Officials are hoping the release will spark memories and bring forward new information that could finally explain what happened to her.
Retired NYPD Detective David Sarni praised the role of investigative genealogy in cracking the case. This method involves matching DNA profiles with genealogical databases that are growing as more individuals voluntarily submit their genetic information.
Genealogy provided the missing piece of the puzzle - a name to go with the unidentified body found over 40 years ago. But the case is far from closed. Police are now asking the public for any information that could shed light on Susan Mann’s death.
An article from 1980 referenced efforts to find Mann while she was still missing, mentioning a possible clue that may have been found in her purse. That lead never led to her discovery, until now.
“Detectives want to find the truth, and they don’t want to close cases based on lack of evidence,” said Sarni. “This is beneficial to all of us.”
Anyone with information about Susan Mann’s case is urged to contact Nassau police.
