No Result
View All Result
World Press Time
  • Home
  • United States
  • UK
  • World
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • South America
    • Africa
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Finance
    • Investing
    • Markets
    • Companies
    • Crypto
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Technology
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • Contact
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Home
  • United States
  • UK
  • World
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • South America
    • Africa
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Finance
    • Investing
    • Markets
    • Companies
    • Crypto
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Technology
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
World Press Time
No Result
View All Result
  • United States
  • UK
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Technology
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • Videos
Home United States

‘Lady of the Dunes’ is identified nearly 50 years after her mutilated body was found in Massachusetts

Press Room by Press Room
7 months ago
in United States
Reading Time: 3 mins read
126 1
A A
0
34
SHARES
489
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Authorities in Massachusetts announced Monday they have identified the oldest unidentified homicide victim in the state dubbed the “Lady of the Dunes” whose mutilated body was discovered on a Cape Cod beach nearly five decades ago.

Ruth Marie Terry, 37, of Tennessee, was identified as the woman found on a beach in Provincetown on July 26, 1974, said FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Joseph Bonavolonta.

Terry was identified through investigative genealogy, Bonavolonta said during a news conference, calling the development a “major break” that will “hopefully bring all of us closer to identifying the killer.”

A composite released from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children to aid in identifying a white female, nicknamed “Lady of the Dunes,” the victim of an unsolved murder case in Provincetown, Mass.Provincetown Police Dept.

“While we have identified Ruth as the victim of this horrific murder, it does not ease the pain for her family — nothing can,” Bonavolonta said. “But hopefully, they answer some questions while we continue to look for her killer.”

The FBI released a flyer with pictures of Terry and asked anyone with information about her killing to contact authorities.

The flyer said Terry died from a blow to the head, which likely happened weeks before her body was found. “The left side of her skull had been crushed. No weapon was found at the crime scene,” the flyer said.

Terry’s hands were missing, “presumably removed by her killer so she can not be identified through fingerprints. And her head was nearly severed from her body,” Bonavolonta added.

Her nude body was discovered on a beach towel with her head resting on folded jeans. She lay on half the towel, as if she’d been sharing it with a companion, according to a Provincetown website dedicated to her case. Her body was exhumed in 2000, the website said.

Over the decades, investigators used techniques to try and identify her, such as neighborhood canvassing, reviewing thousands of missing persons cases, age-regression drawings and clay-model reconstructions, Bonavolonta said.

Ultimately, investigative genealogy, which Bonavolonta described as combining DNA analysis with traditional genealogy research of historical records, led to her identity.

Terry, who was born in Tennessee, also had ties to Massachusetts, Michigan and California, Bonavolonta said. She was described as a beloved sister, wife and mother.

Bonavolonta said investigators don’t know why Terry was in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts State Police Col. Christopher Mason said unsolved cases like Terry’s can haunt investigators.

“For many police investigators at the end of their careers, there is often an unresolved case that haunts them, that intrudes upon the days, years and decades of the rest of their lives,” he said. “This case has been that for generations of Provincetown police officers and Massachusetts state troopers.”

The notorious case has generated national interest over the years and prompted theories about the victim and whoever was responsible for her death. One of those theories is that the slaying victim worked as an extra in the movie “Jaws,” which was filmed on Martha’s Vineyard in the summer of 1974.

A reporter on Monday brought up the speculation to Bonavolonta in a question. Bonavolonta did not directly answer the question.

The homicide victim also had extensive dental work, and some of her teeth were removed, a technique used by the ill-famed Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger, which has led to speculation about a possible connection.

The next phase of the investigation, Bonavolonta said, is learning more about Terry’s life to inch closer to whoever is responsible for her death. He said the case should be a warning for criminals.

Read the full article here

Share14Tweet9Share2Pin3SendShareShareShareShare
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

United States

Man charged with first-degree murder in death of New Jersey councilwoman denied bond, awaiting extradition warrant

United States

Utah parent upset by book bans gets Bible pulled from school shelves to expose ‘bad faith process’

United States

NH officers’ shooting of armed man with lengthy rap sheet justified, state AG says

United States

NYC perv fondles 16-year-old girl, offers her ring on bus, cops say

United States

Lincoln MKC owners asked to park outside due to fire risk

United States

Asylum-seekers are in limbo for years amid immigration backlog

United States

Rescue efforts in Iowa apartment collapse end, recovery prep underway

United States

Man busted after millions of dollars in drugs seized from NYC ‘pill mill’

United States

YouTube will now allow 2020 election denialism content, in policy reversal

Load More

Recommended

Eight early symptoms of multiple sclerosis including one you may spot on the loo

Fire breaks out on Belgian-German border, affecting over 170 hectares

DeSantis: Our country is going in the wrong direction #shorts

THE MOST IMPORTANT FINANCE NEWS AND EVENTS OF THE DAY

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

Trending Now

    About Us

    World Press Time

    World Press Time is your one-stop news portal, follow us to get the latest politic, business, sports, entertainment any more. follow us now.

    Topics

    Africa Asia Australia Business Canada Companies Crypto Economy Entertainment Europe Finance Health Investing Lifestyle Markets Politics Science South America Sports Technology Travel United Kingdom United States Videos World

    Get informed

    THE MOST IMPORTANT FINANCE NEWS AND EVENTS OF THE DAY

    Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • Press Release
    • Advertise
    • Contact

    © 2022 World Press Time - All Rights Reserved.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • United States
    • UK
    • World
      • Canada
      • Europe
      • Australia
      • Asia
      • South America
      • Africa
    • Politics
    • Business
      • Economy
      • Finance
      • Investing
      • Markets
      • Companies
      • Crypto
    • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
    • Health
    • Technology
    • Science
    • Sports
    • Travel
    • Contact

    © 2022 World Press Time - All Rights Reserved.

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.