Orange County authorities are renewing the call for information on a murder case 29 years after a body was discovered in the county.

New Hope Jane Doe. Carl Koppelman, Forensic Artist.
A work crew found the body of a young woman near the exit for New Hope Road on I-40 on September 19, 1990. The initial investigation found the woman had been dead nearly a week. The woman has still not been identified, known instead as New Hope Jane Doe.
Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood was a patrol deputy at the time the body was discovered. He said in a release on Thursday that investigators followed more than 100 leads in the case.
“But we still don’t know who she is or who killed her. We want to learn who this young woman was and bring her family peace,” Blackwood said Thursday.
The sheriff added that a forensic artist produced a new illustration last year that law enforcement hopes will increase the audience who could provide a beneficial tip in the investigation.
“This image needs to reach the right person – the person who knows who this girl was.”
A Facebook page has also been established in an effort to publicize the case.
Anyone with information on the investigation is asked to call Captain Joshua Wood with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at (919) 245-2927. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the sheriff’s office website.
Related Stories
‹

Orange County Authorities Arrest Man on Indecent Liberties with a Minor ChargesOrange County authorities have arrested a suspect who is accused of sexually abusing a child who was spending the night at a friend’s house. Officials from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a release that 43-year-old Reyes Rivera-Zapata was arrested on Friday and charged with one count of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of first-degree […]

Home Security Camera Leads to Orange County Breaking and Entering ArrestHome security footage has led to the arrest of a suspect in connection with a breaking and entering in Orange County. Authorities said a suspect broke into a home on Oakview Court on May 20 and set off the home security alarm. The suspect “left quickly without taking anything,” law enforcement officials said Tuesday. But […]

Federal Judge Sentences Orange County Man on Drug, Gun ChargesAn Orange County man has been sentenced to 28 years in prison by a federal judge this week on a series of drug and firearm charges. Federal officials said in a release that 38-year-old Roderick Lamar Sanford, of Cedar Grove, was sentenced on Tuesday after a guilty plea last August on charges of conspiracy to […]

DNA Technology Helps Solve 20-Year-Old Orange County Murder MysteryThe body of a 10-year-old boy found more than 20 years ago by a mowing crew under a billboard on I-85 in Orange County has been identified. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that the latest DNA technology helped authorities identify the child as Robert “Bobby” Adam Whitt. The case file box has been […]
![]()
In Orange County and Across the Nation, Heroin Use is on the RiseA new report from the Centers for Disease Control shows heroin use is on the rise across the nation. That’s true in Orange County too. A recent undercover drug operation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office netted nearly 700 doses of heroin. Narcotics Investigator Brandon Wilkerson says he wasn’t surprised. “It’s really not new; it’s […]
![]()
Three Candidates Announce Intention To Run For SheriffOrange County Sheriff, Lindy Pendergrass, will not be running for re-election in 2014 and three candidates have announced their intention to run for the position.

Orange County Sheriff's Office: Early Road Conditions Poor on Sunday Following Snow StormFollowing Saturday's snowfall in the Triangle on Saturday, law enforcement and government agencies are updating road conditions on Sunday.

Ross Found Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder of Clark; Mistrial In Death Of WoodsIssiah Ross was found guilty of second degree murder of Devin Clark in 2022 but was not convicted for the shooting of Lyric Woods.

Former Town Councilor, Pastor María Palmer Details Orange County Commissioner CampaignMaría Palmer's campaign for a District 1 Orange County Commissioner seat is built around championing equity and improving affordability.
![]()
Orange County: Winter Weather Response, Upcoming Commissioners MeetingChair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, January 28, discussing county news and events. She discussed the county's response to the recent winter storm, and how her role as chair of the commissioners meant more involvement in the various aspects of the county's response. She also talked about the potential for more winter weather this weekend, previewed the next commissioners meeting, and more.
›