Gwinnett County Police seek public’s help identifying female homicide victim in 1981 cold case

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is requesting the public’s help in identifying a woman whose body was discovered on McDaniel Road near Highway 120 in Duluth, GA over 40 years ago.

To this day, the woman’s identity remains unknown, as well as the person responsible for her death, authorities stated in a March 2 news release. 

Police have released a new forensic sketch of the victim and jewelry that she was wearing when her body was found in 1981.  Authorities consider the jewelry recovered from the scene as significant clues. They are hoping someone might recognize images of the 15-inch gold necklace, gold ring with stones, or the silver Monet bracelet engraved on the back that she was wearing.

The victim is described as a Black female between 20 and 30 years old, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing between 150 and 160 pounds. She had an afro hairstyle.

At the time she was located, the victim was wearing a brown and or purple short sleeve pleated dress and white bra, according to news reports. Authorities said they believed she had been deceased for approximately five days. Her death was ruled a homicide and strangulation is the suspected cause, investigators said. 

Detectives are seeking any information that could help identify the victim and the individual responsible for her death.

Anyone who has any information to share in this case is urged to contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300.  To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com.  

Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.