On September 25, 1988, a woman's partially decomposed body was discovered hidden in tall weeds in a wooded, slightly swampy rural area of Lake County, Florida, which is east of Orlando. They were unable to determine a cause of death or examine her internal organs due to advanced decomposition, which generally progresses faster internally because of bacteria in the gut, but believed she was cisgender and that she had even given birth in the past.  She was found clothed in a greenish tank top, long acid-washed “Manisha” brand denim skirt, and pantyhose which had been rolled down -- suggesting a sexual element to the crime.  Her body had been dragged to the secluded location away from the road, so someone moved her after she died in an apparent attempt to conceal her body and prevent discovery.  That is extremely uncommon after natural death.

She was between 22 and 35 years old, Caucasian, about 5'10 give or take an inch, 170ish lbs in life, with naturally brown hair grown long and bleached blonde.  She had long, well-manicured fingernails, and an examination of her teeth showed that she had some fillings.  She suffered at least one serious blunt-force traumatic injury to her face in the past, fracturing her right cheekbone, which had healed prior to her death. Other healed fractures include a rib and a toe, and possibly her nose.  They noticed she had plastic surgery done on her nose, and that she had breast implants.  Even with a preliminary sketch and questioning people in the area, none of the tips panned out and the case went cold.

After two unidentified women in Florida were Identified by DNA as missing women previously ruled out as being matches, Florida started re-examining all their unidentified decedent cases with fresh eyes.  The new medical examiner immediately thought her skeletal dimensions indicated someone who had a hormonal balance more typical of males during skeletal growth, but once they were sure they had the right body they sent off the DNA.  The results came back this month showing that she had an XY genotype, which rules out previous pregnancy. 

The changes to her pelvic bones thought to indicate childbirth were likely the result of years of estrogen therapy.  Her 250cc silicone breast implants, according to an expert in 1988, had been discontinued five years before her death.  This means she likely had her upper body reassignment no later than 1984, since surgeons in the United States rarely implant medical devices more than a year after they are manufactured.  Her rhinoplasty may have been done as a part of her transition and/or to treat the cosmetic results of prior facial trauma.  

They are unsure if or when she had full reassignment, but her body was not completely skeletonized when she was discovered, and no one saw anything in her remaining soft tissues that suggested she was not cisgender.  The most likely places she may have had her reassignment done were Miami or Atlanta based on distance, but it was also possible she lived in or near New Orleans, New York City, or California during her transition.  The process at that time generally required extensive counseling and a year of living full-time with the gender expression typical of the gender the patient intended to be reassigned to prior to any surgery, and in most cases of male-to-female transition at least orchiectomy was performed back then before starting hormonal treatments.  Ordinarily, the details of surgical procedures done as part of the transition process are not matters of public interest, but in this case they are likely to help return her name to her.

However, even in 2014 more than 40% of transgender individuals lack identification that matches their gender expression.  Even though many choose to reject the name they were born with, she is most likely listed in public records by her birth name.  In this instance, it's almost as important as her true name to getting justice and a proper burial for her.  Many transgender people are unfortunately estranged from their birth families, though after 30 years hearts and minds change.  No parent sleeps well if one of their children is gone, however, and her family at least deserves to know the truth.

Members of the Unresolved Mysteries subReddit have nicknamed her “Julie Doe", in homage to the statuesque Hollywood star and LGBT ally who had a cameo appearance in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. They have also started a Facebook page, and the case has been submitted to the Doe Network for inclusion in their database of unidentified decedents and long-term missing persons.  Redditors have been instrumental in getting DNA testing performed on a potential match to “Grateful Doe”, and while initial DNA results were inconclusive, Jason Callahan is the first person who has not been conclusively ruled out.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is coming up tomorrow, and while Julie may be silent now, her very bones give testimony to the violence routinely inflicted on transgender people.  The cause and manner of her death are officially undetermined, but her skeletal markers show significant evidence of prior physical assault.  According to the Anti-Violence Project of Massachusetts, 61% of transgender individuals reported being violently assaulted at least once because of their gender identity or expression.  Transgender people who are the victims of hate crimes are also more likely to have been sexually assaulted than others who experienced hate crime violence in the LGBTQ community, though the entire community is far more often targeted for sexual assaults than other victims during hate crimes.  The violence isn't new -- and the fact it is still happening nearly 30 years later is deplorable.  She deserves justice.  She deserves her name.

Someone remembers her -- maybe someone who transitioned in the late 1970s or early 1980s remembers seeing her at appointments in the waiting room?  Maybe she was a member of a support group for people who were transitioning then?  Once they have a likely match, her Y chromosome will help with identification because her paternal lineage can be traced, similarly to how mitochondrial DNA testing can identify maternal lineage.   

If anyone has information about this woman's identity, or about the circumstances surrounding her death, please contact the Lake County Sheriff's Office at 352-343-2101.