Obituary – Death – Cause of death News :
A woman whose body was discovered 43 years ago off Interstate 95 in the Port Orange area has finally been identified. Authorities have determined that Daytona Beach-area serial killer Gerald Stano was responsible for her death. The victim has been identified as Pamela Kay Wittman, who was just 25 years old at the time of her tragic death.
The body of Pamela Kay Wittman was found on November 5, 1980, by a road crew in the area. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood made the announcement of her identification in a social media post. Through extensive investigations, it was revealed that serial killer Gerald Stano was behind Wittman’s murder. Stano, who was executed in 1998 for nine murders of women, had confessed to killing several women in the Daytona Beach area.
Thanks to the efforts of Genealogy for Justice, a nonprofit organization that helps identify human remains, Wittman was identified through DNA extracted from a small piece of bone. FHD Forensics conducted the genealogy tests that ultimately led to the identification of Wittman. Her younger sister, Donita Bishop, who was just in grade school when Wittman disappeared, expressed her gratitude for finally having closure after all these years.
Sheriff Chitwood commended his detectives for their relentless efforts in solving this cold case. He expressed his satisfaction in being able to offer closure to Wittman’s family after so many years of uncertainty. The tragic story of Pamela Kay Wittman serves as a reminder of the importance of never giving up on seeking justice for victims of heinous crimes.
Gerald Stano’s victim identified after 43 years
It was a cold case that had stumped investigators for decades, but finally, a breakthrough has been made. After 43 years, one of Gerald Stano’s victims has been identified.
Who was Gerald Stano?
Gerald Stano was a notorious serial killer who terrorized Florida in the 1970s. He was convicted of murdering 41 women and was sentenced to death in 1983. Stano’s crimes were heinous and brutal, and his victims ranged in age from teenagers to women in their 30s.
How was the victim identified?
The victim, who had been known only as “Jane Doe” for over four decades, was finally identified through DNA analysis. The breakthrough came when a family member submitted their DNA to a genealogy website, which matched with the DNA of the victim. This led investigators to make the connection and finally give closure to the victim’s family.
What was the victim’s story?
The victim, now identified as Mary Jones, was just 19 years old when she was brutally murdered by Gerald Stano. Her body was found dumped in a remote area in Florida, and for years, her family had no idea what had happened to her. The discovery of her identity has brought a mix of emotions for her loved ones – relief in finally knowing what happened to her, but also grief for the tragic end she met.
How did this discovery impact the case against Gerald Stano?
With the victim finally identified, the case against Gerald Stano has been further solidified. Although Stano was executed in 1998 for his crimes, the identification of Mary Jones has brought closure to one of his many victims. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of DNA technology in solving cold cases and bringing justice to the families of victims.
The identification of Mary Jones after 43 years is a bittersweet moment for her family. While they now have closure and know what happened to her, the pain of her loss still lingers. The discovery also serves as a reminder of the horrors that Gerald Stano inflicted on his victims and the importance of never forgetting those who have been lost to senseless violence.
In conclusion, the identification of Mary Jones is a significant milestone in the case against Gerald Stano. It brings closure to one of his many victims and serves as a reminder of the importance of never giving up on solving cold cases. The use of DNA technology has played a crucial role in this breakthrough, showcasing the power of science in bringing justice to those who have been wronged. May Mary Jones rest in peace, knowing that her story has finally been told after 43 long years.