BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND — Nearly three decades after human remains were discovered in a wooded area off Falls Road, Baltimore County Police have identified the woman long known only as “Falls Road Jane Doe.”
Through forensic investigative genetic genealogy conducted by DNA Labs International, authorities have confirmed the remains belong to Leoria Smith, a 20-year-old mother last seen in 1984. Her disappearance was never reported, and her death remains under investigation.
Key Points:
- “Falls Road Jane Doe” has been identified as Leoria Smith, last seen in 1984.
- Smith’s remains were found in March 1996, but her identity remained unknown until 2024.
- The investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding her suspicious death.
Smith was last seen around her birthday in November 1984 at a Baltimore City club called “Underground,” located in the 2100 block of Edmondson Avenue. At the time, she was a young mother and had attended Gwynn Falls Park Junior High School in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Her remains, found in 1996, included clothing such as blue jeans, a light-colored blouse with pinstripes and pearl buttons, a leather jacket, high-top shoes, and two gold hoop earrings. Despite initial investigative efforts, her identity remained unknown for decades.
In April 2021, the Baltimore County Police Department partnered with DNA Labs International to re-examine the case using the ForenSeq Kintelligence System. The resulting DNA profile led to new investigative leads, numerous interviews, and sample testing, ultimately confirming Smith’s identity.
Authorities are continuing to seek information about Smith’s life and the circumstances surrounding her death. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact detectives at 410-887-3943 or through the iWATCH program.
