The Box Lady of Benton County cold case
The unidentified woman known as the "Box Lady of Benton County," found in 1976 with a gunshot wound to the head, is now believed to be largely Croatian and possibly from the Chicago area, according to DNA sequencing of a bone in January 2024. As of April 2026, authorities are reportedly moving away from the theory that the box containing her body was dropped from a helicopter, and the DNA Doe Project continues efforts to identify her. The box was manufactured in Melrose Park, Illinois, between May and October 1976. The victim's body was exhumed in June 2019 after decades as a cold case, and an updated reconstruction image was released in February 2022.
Timeline
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April 2026 — 1 developments
Authorities are reportedly moving away from the theory that the box containing the "Box Lady" was dropped from a helicopter.
Authorities are reportedly moving away from the theory that the box containing the "Box Lady" was dropped from a helicopter. The DNA Doe Project continues to work on identifying the woman, who was found in 1976 with a gunshot wound to the head. The box was manufactured in Melrose Park, Illinois, between May and October 1976.
December 2025 — 1 developments
A crime victim known as 'Parker Doe' was identified as Rosa Elia Vargas Jiminez Everts after 37 years using DNA technology.
A crime victim known as 'Parker Doe' was identified as Rosa Elia Vargas Jiminez Everts after 37 years using DNA technology.
December 2024 — 2 developments
Police estimated the victim had been killed 7 to 10 days before discovery, and the box containing her body had been in the cornfield for 12 to 18 hours.
Police estimated the victim had been killed 7 to 10 days before discovery, and the box containing her body had been in the cornfield for 12 to 18 hours.
Initial investigation efforts included sending the woman's clothes, fingerprints, and dental X-rays to the state crime lab, and issuing a nationwide all-points bulletin.
Initial investigation efforts included sending the woman's clothes, fingerprints, and dental X-rays to the state crime lab, and issuing a nationwide all-points bulletin. Additionally, three witness statements and ground damage suggest the box containing the body may have been dropped by a helicopter.
January 2024 — 1 developments
DNA sequencing of a bone from the 'Box Lady' revealed she is largely Croatian and possibly from the Chicago area.
DNA sequencing of a bone from the 'Box Lady' revealed she is largely Croatian and possibly from the Chicago area. This new information was obtained by Scott McCord, Coroner of Newton County, Indiana, and a Case Manager for the Identify Indiana Initiative.
April 2023 — 1 developments
An updated reconstruction image of the unidentified woman was released on February 6, 2022, as part of ongoing efforts to identify the 'Box Lady' of Benton County.
An updated reconstruction image of the unidentified woman was released on February 6, 2022, as part of ongoing efforts to identify the 'Box Lady' of Benton County. This new image aims to generate public recognition and new leads in the cold case.
March 2022 — 1 developments
The 'Box Lady of Benton County' case was featured on the popular podcast 'My Favorite Murder' in March 2022, bringing renewed public attention to the unsolved mystery.
The 'Box Lady of Benton County' case was featured on the popular podcast 'My Favorite Murder' in March 2022, bringing renewed public attention to the unsolved mystery.
September 2021 — 1 developments
The DNA Doe Project officially took on 'The Box Lady's' case, aiming to use genetic genealogy testing to identify her.
The DNA Doe Project officially took on 'The Box Lady's' case, aiming to use genetic genealogy testing to identify her.
June 2019 — 1 developments
After decades of the case remaining cold, the Benton County Coroner obtained a search warrant and order to exhume the 'Box Lady's' body.
After decades of the case remaining cold, the Benton County Coroner obtained a search warrant and order to exhume the 'Box Lady's' body. A team from the Human Identification Center at the University of Indianapolis carefully excavated the grave, finding her remains in a body bag, as the wooden coffin had disintegrated.
October 1976 — 4 developments
The unidentified woman was given a pauper's burial in Fowler Cemetery, without a headstone, where her body remained largely forgotten for 43 years.
The unidentified woman was given a pauper's burial in Fowler Cemetery, without a headstone, where her body remained largely forgotten for 43 years.
Investigators theorized the box had been dropped into the cornfield by a helicopter, as there were n…
Investigators theorized the box had been dropped into the cornfield by a helicopter, as there were no tire tracks leading to the box despite recent rain, and witnesses reported seeing a white and gold 1976 Bell Jet Ranger helicopter in the area around the time of the discovery.
Authorities determined the woman was white, between 55-65 years old, approximately 5'2" tall, and weighed around 160 pounds.
Authorities determined the woman was white, between 55-65 years old, approximately 5'2" tall, and weighed around 160 pounds. She had sandy, partially graying hair, brown eyes, and a significant scar from a right-side radical mastectomy. She also had callouses on her hands, suggesting a history of manual labor.
Norman Skoog, a farmer in rural Benton County, Indiana, discovered a large, heavy cardboard box in his cornfield.
Norman Skoog, a farmer in rural Benton County, Indiana, discovered a large, heavy cardboard box in his cornfield. Upon opening it with his family, they found the body of a woman, later known as 'The Box Lady,' wrapped in plastic and bound with rope. She was wearing a green pantsuit and had been shot in the back of the head. The box also contained a broken perfume bottle, seemingly used to mask the smell of decomposition.