Authorities have identified the remains of a New York City teenager known as “Midtown Jane Doe” as Patricia Kathleen McGlone, who was just 16 at the time of her death and had previously lived and attended school in Brooklyn. McGlone was found murdered in the latter half of 1969 or early 1970 when construction workers discovered her remains buried beneath a Manhattan building being demolished. She had been strangled, wrapped in a carpet, tied in the fetal position with an electrical cord, and encased in concrete. The initial discovery in 2003 drew horror and intrigue, with very few clues beyond a gold ring with “PMCG” initials, a dime minted in 1969, and a green plastic toy soldier.
New York City police detectives reopened the case in 2017 and used modern forensic tests and DNA analysis from the crime scene to develop a genetic profile that was linked to potential relatives through investigative genetic genealogy. Through interviews with prospective relatives across generations, authorities were able to confirm that Jane Doe was Patricia McGlone. They learned that McGlone attended Catholic and public schools in Brooklyn, was a runaway and truant before her death, and had gotten married around that time, cutting off contact with her family. There were no missing persons reports filed after McGlone’s disappearance.
McGlone’s relative submitted their DNA to the medical examiner’s office after their sister died in the September 11 attacks, which provided the conclusive link to McGlone’s identity. An active homicide investigation is now underway to determine the circumstances surrounding McGlone’s murder. While police have not named any suspects, McGlone’s former husband was connected to the building where her remains were found, prompting detectives to seek information from anyone who knew McGlone, her family, or the area around the nightclub where she was discovered. Detective Ryan Glas, who has been working on the case since 2022, encourages anyone with information to come forward.
The identification of McGlone’s remains after decades of anonymity is a significant breakthrough in the case of “Midtown Jane Doe.” The use of advanced forensics and investigative genetic genealogy has provided closure for McGlone’s family and renewed efforts to seek justice for her murder. The discovery of McGlone’s identity sheds light on a tragic story of a young girl who went missing and was brutally killed, leaving behind a mystery that has haunted investigators for nearly half a century. With the case now reopened and an active homicide investigation ongoing, authorities are hopeful that more information will come to light that may lead to solving the case.
