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Authorities Identify Jane Doe of Livingston County

Tammy Jo Alexander's high school picture, circa 1978.
Tammy Jo Alexander's high school picture, circa 1978.

Authorities have identified the body of a teenager found in a Caledonia cornfield in 1979 as Tammy Jo Alexander of Florida.

Livingston County Sheriff Tom Dougherty says a missing persons report filed by a former classmate came in just this past summer. That, along with DNA and tips through social media, helped authorities identify the girl.

Dougherty says they still have an open investigation in front of them, but he hopes this new information could lead to the killer.

"One of the biggest parts of solving a case is knowing your victim. Once you know your victim, you know 10 times more about the case. We know then who their associates are, what the motives may be, etc."

Former sheriff John York was an investigator when the body of Jane Doe was found 36 years ago. He calls this a bittersweet day, but always knew this day would come.

"This case could have been solved long ago had she had a parent, had she had a family, that cared enough to even file a missing persons report."

Authorities ask anyone with any information about Tammy Jo Alexander that may help the case to contact them.

Former Sheriff John York speaks beside a photo of Tammy Jo Alexander
Credit Veronica Volk / WXXI
/
WXXI
Former Sheriff John York speaks beside a photo of Tammy Jo Alexander

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.