BEL ALTON, Md., June 24, 2025 — After 25 years, Charles County Sheriff’s Office has identified a woman found murdered in a Bel Alton field in June 1998 as LaQuanda Denise “Niecey” Williams, aged 31 at the time of her death. The breakthrough, announced in October 2023, followed a tip received after a televised news story marking the case’s 25th anniversary. While Williams’ identity is now known, her killer remains at large, and investigators are actively pursuing new leads.
On June 18, 1998, an unidentified woman’s body was discovered near Irving Road and Route 301 in Bel Alton. The victim, believed to be 25 to 35 years old, 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighing 115 to 135 pounds, had no visible scars, marks, or tattoos. Her death was ruled a homicide, but traditional identification methods, including fingerprint analysis and media coverage, failed to reveal her identity. For decades, she was known only as Jane Doe.
“Learning the identity of Jane Doe after 25 years is a testament to the relentless dedication of our investigators,” said Sheriff Troy D. Berry. “Today, we take a significant step forward in bringing answers to light and ensuring that she is no longer Jane Doe, but a person with a name and a story.”
Investigators employed advanced forensic techniques over the years, including facial reconstruction, updated fingerprint identification, and isotopic analysis conducted by Dr. Erin Kimmerle of the University of South Florida. The analysis suggested the victim was U.S.-born, likely from Maryland or the Northeast. A mitochondrial DNA profile was developed, but no matches were found until 2023.
The turning point came on June 18, 2023, when NBC News 4 Washington aired a story with reporter Megan McGrath, featuring details of the case provided by detectives and the Forensic Science Section. That evening, Deputy Director Noelle Gehrman received a tip from a family member who believed Jane Doe could be their relative. “We have received tips in the past and had our hopes up, but DNA ruled those potential relatives out,” Gehrman said. “But when this tip came in, everything the caller conveyed just fit. I felt we now had a direction to move forward and a solid lead to pursue.”
The family provided photos, which bore striking similarity to a 1998 sketch used to identify Jane Doe. Detectives located potential siblings, and in 2023, one sibling submitted a DNA sample. On October 12, 2023, Bode Technology’s DNA analysis confirmed that Jane Doe’s mitochondrial DNA profile matched the sibling’s, establishing her identity as LaQuanda Williams, last known to reside in Southeast Washington, D.C.
“This is yet another example of the dedication of our Forensic Science Section and detectives assigned to our Homicide Unit and Cold Case Unit,” Sheriff Berry said. “In the pursuit of justice, they follow up with every case. They never give up. They never stop trying to bring justice to victims and their families.”
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is now focused on identifying Williams’ killer. Detective Shankster is leading the investigation and can be reached at 301-932-3037 or shanksterc@ccso.us. Charles County Crime Solvers offers a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, visiting Charles County Crime Solvers, or using the P3Intel mobile app.
Williams’ case underscores the sheriff’s office’s commitment to resolving cold cases. Each year, on the anniversary of her discovery, the agency promoted the story through traditional and social media, generating tips that, until 2023, led nowhere. The 25th anniversary coverage proved pivotal, demonstrating the power of community engagement and media collaboration.
Investigators continue to work with forensic experts to analyze evidence and pursue leads. The sheriff’s office encourages anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward to help bring justice to Williams and closure to her family. For more details on the agency’s efforts, visit CCSO’s Commitment to the Pursuit of Justice.
