Body Found in Toledo in 1987 Identified as Missing Michigan Teen

After 37 years, remains that were found in an alley behind an auto repair shop have finally been identified thanks to genetic genealogy DNA testing.

On June 16, 1987 a woman's body was discovered near Collingwood Blvd. and Interstate 75 in Toledo, Ohio. She'd been wrapped in a cloth and burned.

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According to Fox News 10, a driver on the highway spotted flames and went to investigate. He discovered the victim, who also had a plastic bag over her head. CBS News reports that police believed she died several days before she was found. She was described as being between the ages of 16 and 20, between 5' 4" and 5' 7", with strawberry blonde hair.

Police worked to identify her, but were unsuccessful - until now.

Last October the Toledo Police Department requested the help of The Porchlight Project, a non-profit that offers funding for DNA testing and genetic genealogy for Ohio cold cases. The Porchlight Project paid for testing through Othram of Woodlands, Texas. Authorities say that through the testing, a possible relative of the unidentified female was found in Michigan.

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Police followed up and located more potential relatives near Detroit. A final DNA test with a close family member confirmed the match.

On March 20, 2025 the woman was identified as Tammy Lowe, an 18-year-old who had gone missing from Taylor, Mich.

Toledo Police Department

While she has now been identified, the mysteries around her death remain.

Detective William Goodlet tells Fox 10 News that her death had been ruled an overdose after cocaine was found in her system. However, evidence and clues were destroyed in the fire. Also, her body was in such poor condition, the coroner could not identify anything else.

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Goodlet says,

So it’s hard to tell if there was something else happening and we can only go by what they know, what they find out positively and that that was cocaine. It’s one thing if we say that as a cocaine overdose, you know, that’s tragic enough. But then why someone would go to the length of attempting to you know, totally conceal her identity, that’s hard to figure.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Toledo Police Detective Bureau at 419-245-3142.

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