BEL ALTON — Charles County authorities have identified the woman whose body was found in a field near Irving Road and Route 301 in Bel Alton in June 1998 as LaQuanda Denise “Niecey” Williams, who was 31 years old at the time of her death.
Her killer remains unknown. Cold case detectives and forensic investigators continue to pursue new leads following the identification. Charles County Crime Solvers and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for the tip that leads to an arrest and indictment.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Shankster at 301-932-3037 or shanksterc@ccso.us. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS, online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or through the P3Intel mobile app.
In 1998, the unidentified woman was found deceased in the field. She was believed to be between 25 and 35 years old, approximately 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 115 to 135 pounds, with no visible scars, marks or tattoos. Her death was ruled a homicide.
Traditional identification efforts, including work with other law enforcement agencies and media coverage, yielded no matches. Investigators used facial reconstruction, updated fingerprint analysis and reached out to Dr. Erin Kimmerle, an anthropologist at the University of South Florida, who conducted isotopic analysis indicating the victim was U.S.-born from the northeast region, most likely from Maryland or the surrounding area.
Ongoing DNA analysis produced a mitochondrial DNA profile available for comparison with relatives. Annual promotions of the case on the anniversary of the discovery generated tips, but potential matches were ruled out through DNA.
On June 18, 2023, the 25th anniversary, NBC News 4 Washington reporter Megan McGrath aired a story with available facts. That evening, Deputy Director Noelle Gehrman of the Forensic Science Section received a tip from a family member who had watched the broadcast and believed Jane Doe might be their relative.
Photos provided by the family showed similarities to the 1998 sketch. Detectives located potential siblings, and one provided a DNA sample in 2023. On Oct. 12, 2023, Bode Technology confirmed the victim’s mtDNA profile could not be eliminated from the sibling’s profile. Officials met with the family on Oct. 25, 2023, and confirmed the identity. Williams’ last known residence was in Southeast Washington, D.C.
“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. Now, we have a name to work with in an attempt to identify the person responsible for her murder. We won’t give up in our pursuit for justice.”
Gehrman noted that while previous tips had been received, this one fit the details provided.
“This is yet another example of the dedication of our Forensic Science Section and detectives assigned to our Homicide Unit and Cold Case Unit,” 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.”
Southern Maryland residents with any information about the case, no matter how small, are encouraged to come forward to help bring justice to Williams and closure to her loved ones.
