Remains Identified After Several Decades

(USNewsBreak.com) – In 1988, police found the remains of a woman wrapped in plastic and secured with duct tape inside a suitcase near a dumpster in Jenkins County, Georgia. While authorities with the Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office were able to determine that the woman died four to seven days prior and had succumbed to asphyxiation, they could not immediately confirm her identity. They asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for help, but failed to secure any leads. Now, 35 years later, with the help of new DNA techniques, authorities say they finally know the answer.

In a Facebook post, the GBI detailed the information it had on the case, which dates back to February 1988. During the investigation, agents collected her dental records and fingerprints, in hopes of finding a match. A forensic artist with the GBI even created a sketch of what the victim may look like. Later, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children created a computer-generated sketch to help aid in the woman’s identification.

Woman identified in Georgia cold case of human remains found in suitcase 35 years ago https://t.co/UJly8NMvEk

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 25, 2023

This year, Othram received DNA evidence from the GBI, hoping that advanced techniques available today would play a part in finally discovering who the victim was. Using a process known as Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing, scientists compiled a comprehensive profile that helped finally put a name with the body: Chong Un Kim, an immigrant from Korea who arrived in the United States in 1981. Project Justice, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to helping to address cold cases, footed the bill for the cost.

Authorities notified Kim’s family in October, but this latest development is just the beginning for people working on the case. They now want to know who killed Un Kim and why. The GBI has asked anyone with information to contact them at 912-871-1121. People can also submit tips anonymously through the GBI’s website or by calling the discreet tip line at 1-800-597-8477.