Betty Lou Wisley: Woman Whose Burned Body was Found in Roane County in 1987 Finally Identified

ROANE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has made a significant breakthrough in a cold case from 1987. The remains of a woman, previously known as Jane Doe, have been identified as Betty Lou Wisley. Wisley was born on December 20, 1935, in Clinton, Mississippi, and was living in Knox County at the time of her death.

The discovery of Wisley’s burned body beside a dumpster on Highway 58 in Kingston in 1987 sparked a decades-long mystery. Despite efforts by forensic anthropologists and DNA profiling by the FBI in 2009, her identity remained unknown. However, the TBI and the Roane County Sheriff’s Office sought help from Othram Inc., a genetic testing laboratory, and they were able to use forensic genetic genealogical (FGG) DNA testing to match Wisley’s DNA to one of her relatives, leading to her identification.

Now that Wisley’s identity is known, investigators are shifting their focus to unraveling the circumstances surrounding her death. They are urging anyone with information about Wisley or the events leading up to her death to come forward. Tips can be sent to awolff@roanesheriff.org or called in to 865-717-4722.

This breakthrough highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, forensic experts, and private labs in solving cold cases. The use of advanced technologies, such as FGG DNA testing, is providing answers to families seeking closure. The TBI’s Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative aims to solve more cold cases using these methods.

The identification of Betty Lou Wisley after nearly four decades brings hope to other cold cases, such as the remains found at a Nashville recycling center in 2003. Police are still seeking to identify those remains and encourage anyone with information to come forward.

As authorities continue their efforts to solve cold cases and bring justice to victims and their families, the collaboration between different agencies and the use of advanced technologies will play a crucial role. The identification of Betty Lou Wisley is a significant step forward in finding answers and closure for the families of cold case victims.