The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Monday that state and federal investigators have identified a Cape Cod cold case murder victim from a mysterious killing that occurred in 1974.
Since the identity of the corpse was unknown until this point, the body was given the name “Lady of the Dunes,” MassLive reported. Now, FBI Boston Division Special Agent Joseph R. Bonavolonta announced the bureau identified the body as being Ruth Marie Terry. The Tennessee native was born Sept. 8, 1936, according to the outlet.
After nearly a half-century, #FBI Boston’s use of Investigative Genealogy has identified the ‘Lady of the Dunes,’ the oldest, unidentified homicide victim in MA. She is Ruth Marie Terry of Tennessee. Learn more: https://t.co/2l1qlGB4HM pic.twitter.com/W28xmSiZbA
— FBI Boston (@FBIBoston) October 31, 2022
Although the “Lady of the Dunes” herself has been identified, the identity of her killer still remains unclear, the outlet continued. (RELATED: Woman Goes On Date And Ends Up Being Driven Into River In Providence, Police Say)
“The Lady of the Dunes” is Ruth Marie Terry of TN; please share this poster. Her killer has not yet been identified. pic.twitter.com/28zChUSbtM
— The Fall Line Podcast (@falllinepodcast) October 31, 2022
When Terry’s body was found back in the 1970s, the official cause of death was determined to be a lethal blow to the head, MassLive reported. The fatal damage allegedly occurred multiple weeks before the body was found. (RELATED: Suspect Charged In ‘Cold-Hearted’ Murder Nearly 40 Years Later)
The reason why it was so challenging to identify Terry was due to the near-decapitation of the corpse and because Terry’s hands were cut off, likely by the unknown killer, the outlet reported.
Terry’s body was found along the coast of Cape Cod, about a mile away from a National Park Services station called Race Point Ranger Station in Provincetown, according to MassLive. (RELATED: Foot Found Floating Inside Shoe At Yellowstone National Park)
Facial reconstruction technology and scientific developments in genealogical investigative research were two major factors in identifying the late “Lady of the Dunes,” Agent Bonavolonta said, according to MassLive.
Watch the live update from the FBI: The Lady of the Dunes, 1974 Provincetown murder victim, identified as Ruth Marie Terry https://t.co/QrtdOigdsd
— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) October 31, 2022
Terry’s ties reportedly go beyond Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Tennessee, as she is said to have had additional connections to Michigan and California, MassLive reported.