NEW YORK – After more than 30 years, authorities managed to identify the identity of a woman who was the victim of a homicide who was found dead in Mont Vernon, a case resolved that gives the victim’s family the possibility to say goodbye to her to be loved.
The announcement was made Monday by Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah, who noted that the new Office of Resolved Cases, in partnership with the FBI, Mount Vernon Police Department and the Department of Laboratories and Westchester Investigation, were able to identify the victim.
It is about Veronica Wiederhold and her identity was achieved through the use of DNA evidence and investigative genealogy, the Prosecutor’s Office said. The victim was called for years as “Jane Doe Mount Vernon“.
The case began on February 14, 1988, around 11:54 a.m., in the vicinity of 22 Carleton Ave. at Mount Vernon, when Mount Vernon Police found Wiederhold lifeless and naked on the street.
“The remarkable work of our Office of Solved Cases and law enforcement partners has given a family the certainty and the ability to grieve for their loved one after 33 years. A main objective of this Office is to bring closure to the families of homicide victims, and we know that this is a pain that never goes away, ”said prosecutor Rocah. “I know firsthand that solving crimes is one of the best ways we can try to close the doors to the families of the victims.”
Wiederhold was last seen by her family in Brooklyn in late 1987 before she was found dead. She currently has family members in New York City and out of state who have already been notified of the ID from the Office of Resolved Cases.
The Office is headed by Assistant District Attorney Laura Murphy, who is assisted by Chief Investigator Daniel McKenna. Together they oversee the Office of Resolved Cases and work collaboratively with other investigators from the District Attorney’s Office, the FBI Task Force, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety and law enforcement agencies across the county.
“There has been a lot of speculation over the years about the identity of this victim. Now we know who she is: Veronica Wiederhold, ”Murphy said. “That is why we continue to work on these cases and we never stop seeking justice for these victims.”
While the Mount Vernon Police Department has diligently attempted to use new forensic science for several years to determine Wiederhold’s identity, the use of advanced genetic genealogy through the FBI made it possible to begin the process to successfully identify the victim.
When the Westchester Forensic Laboratory determined that he had enough DNA from the victim, the FBI’s genetic genealogy unit was able to connect him to potential relatives who had submitted his DNA to a genealogy website. Family members then provided DNA samples to the FBI, which assisted in the investigation.
The DNA match positively identified Wiederhold and a final identification was made in April.
“I am proud of the fantastic team we have assembled at the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office that will join forces with our law enforcement partners in Westchester to address as many unsolved cases as resources allow,” said the prosecutor. Rocah.
The prosecution did not release information about the suspect behind the crime or if they have any leads.
Anyone with information should contact the Westchester District Attorney’s Office at 914-995-TIPS.
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