Cobb County murder victim identified 4 decades later

COBB COUNTY, Ga. - Cobb County police said they have identified a murder victim nearly four decades after her body was discovered.

The backstory:

The woman’s body was found in a wooded area near the Chattahoochee River on May 10, 1984. At the time, authorities were unable to identify her or determine whether she had been murdered.

Police sent DNA samples to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the University of North Texas, but despite years of testing and entering the DNA into multiple databases, no match was found.

The Cobb County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons Cold Case Unit recently reopened the case and attempted to use a lab to develop a genetic genealogy profile. That effort was unsuccessful, but the lab later compared the woman’s DNA to a person believed to be a relative.

What's New:

The results showed the victim was the half-sister of that individual. Police identified her as Veronica Jane Miller of Mableton. Investigators said Miller would have been about 20 years old when she died.

Her death has now been ruled a homicide.

What they're saying:

The break came after investigators partnered with Othram, a Texas-based company that builds DNA profiles and uses genealogical databases to help solve cold cases.

"We work with databases, where individuals who have done their genealogy, have consented to allow law enforcement to use their information for investigative purposes," said Colby Lasyone, Chief of Staff for Othram.

Othram created a detailed DNA profile and gave police new leads, including a half-sister that ultimately confirmed Miller’s identity. "It's an example of a case that takes a little bit longer to get to a final answer, but we're truly grateful to have been able to apply our tools and our technology to bring answers," Lasyone said.

Miller’s remains were discovered in a wooded area in southwest Cobb County. She was believed to be about 20 years old at the time, wearing western-style clothing and an auburn wig. In 2011, investigators developed a DNA profile and even produced a 3-D reconstruction of her face, but still could not identify her.

That changed in 2022 when Cobb County investigators turned to Othram for advanced testing.

Now that Miller has been identified, police say the case has shifted. "It has gone from an unidentified person to now an unsolved homicide," said Cobb County Police Sgt. Eric Smith.

Smith acknowledged that solving the killing will be difficult after so much time has passed. "If there are any witnesses, again in 40 years, where are they now? As well as the suspect or suspects, where are they now?" he said.

What you can do:

Investigators are urging anyone who may know something to come forward. Tips can be reported to Cobb County Police’s Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-3945.