Baby Jane Doe Cold Case Solved with Arrest

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SUMMARY

Denise Richman Murker was charged with murder on March 26, 2026, in the 32-year-old cold case of a "Baby Jane Doe" found deceased in 1993. As of April 2, 2026, Murker admitted to police that she was the mother and placed paper towels in the newborn's mouth after birth. Modern forensics and Investigative Genetic Genealogy were used to identify Murker as the alleged birth mother. The investigation into the death of 'Slate Hill's Baby Jane Doe' was officially closed on December 6, 2024, after the biological parents were identified through IGG, though the father was not a suspect and the mother was deceased.

Timeline

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Timeline of developments

June 2026 1 developments

  1. Arrests Made in Multiple Baby Jane Doe Cold Cases

    Hepay Juma was arrested and charged with reckless second-degree murder in the death of her infant, identified as Baby Jane "Grace" Doe. In a separate case, Evelyn Odum and Ulistister Sanders were charged with felony murder and cruelty to children in the death of Kenyatta Odom, identified as "Baby Jane Doe."

April 2026 1 developments

March 2026 1 developments

  1. Denise Richman Murker Charged with Murder in 1993 "Baby Jane Doe" Cold Case

    Denise Richman Murker has been charged with murder in the 32-year-old cold case of a "Baby Jane Doe" found deceased in 1993. Modern forensics and Investigative Genetic Genealogy were used to identify Murker as the alleged birth mother.

April 2025 1 developments

December 2024 4 developments

  1. Investigation into 'Slate Hill's Baby Jane Doe' death officially closed

    The investigation into the death of 'Slate Hill's Baby Jane Doe' was officially closed.

  2. Biological father questioned, investigated, not considered suspect in child's case

    The biological father was identified, questioned, and thoroughly investigated, but is not considered a suspect in the case. The child's mother is deceased.

  3. Investigation Identifies Infant's Biological Parents Through IGG

    Both the biological mother and father of the infant were positively identified through IGG and an extensive joint investigation.

  4. New York State Police and FBI identify 'Slate Hill's Baby Jane Doe' using genetic genealogy

    The New York State Police, in collaboration with the FBI, announced the successful identification of 'Slate Hill's Baby Jane Doe' through Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG).

February 1992 1 developments

  1. Infant's partially burned remains discovered in Wawayanda, New York

    The partially burned remains of the infant were discovered on a property on South Plank Road in the Town of Wawayanda, Orange County, New York. The infant remained unidentified for over 30 years and was known as 'Slate Hill's Baby Jane Doe.'

December 1991 1 developments

  1. Infant discarded in Wawayanda, New York in 1991

    An infant, estimated to be 7 to 10 days old, was discarded in the winter of 1991 in the Town of Wawayanda, New York.