BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – New Breakthrough in 1984 Cold Case
For almost 40 years, a grim mystery has haunted the community of Bowling Green. State police have struggled to crack a cold case that offered little in the way of leads or information since 1984. However, recent developments have brought hope to uncovering the truth about a tragic event that took place nearly four decades ago.
A Calm Day Turns Chilling
Wayne Mason, a biologist and instructor at Western Kentucky University, began his Fourth of July weekend with plans for a peaceful day of picking blackberries and birdwatching. But as he drove to a wooded area just off Interstate 65, the day that should have been relaxing took a shocking turn.
While searching for ripe blackberries about half a mile south of the Green River Parkway, Mason made a grisly discovery just 40 feet from the busy interstate. Among the plump blackberries lay a human skull and pieces of clothing.
Reporting the Find
Shocked and disturbed, Mason quickly left the area and went to the Kentucky State Police post on Nashville Road, arriving at 1:30 p.m. that day. He reported his unsettling find, leading Trooper Elmore Smith to the scene. Upon arrival, Smith confirmed the grim discovery, which prompted a larger investigation.
Detectives secured the area and found more remains about 80 feet from the interstate. Alongside the bones were strands of brown hair and clothing items, including a multi-colored long-sleeved blouse, red corduroy Levi’s, and cotton panties. These artifacts became the few clues available in the search for the woman’s identity.
The Search for Answers
To find answers, police quickly launched a search for missing women, utilizing a national database. Despite their efforts, they eliminated 15 potential matches from regions as far as Tampa, Florida to Barrington, Illinois. Each name provided hope yet failed to solve the mystery surrounding the remains. Investigators worked diligently with forensic examiners, each hoping to glean more information, but results came back less informative than hoped.
Forensic experts at the University of Louisville estimated that the remains belonged to a female aged between 14 and 20 years. They speculated that the body had been there for nearly two years prior to Mason’s discovery.
Over the years, tips and suggestions on possible identifications poured in, but none led to a clear answer. Even as countless leads came through from around the country, detectives remained unable to connect any individual definitively to the remains.
Advancements in Technology Shine Hope
Flash forward to 2023, and the case finally saw a breakthrough due to advancements in DNA testing and genetic genealogy. Generations of detectives had revisited the cold case, each hoping for a key to unlock the mystery. This long-awaited moment arrived on March 20, 2023.
Detective Allen Shirley received an email containing a report from Othram, a Texas-based forensic laboratory. They had been contacted to analyze the bones that had long been kept in evidence. Utilizing cutting-edge DNA technology, Othram was able to develop a DNA profile from the remains.
Dr. David Mittelman, CEO of Othram, expressed excitement about the breakthrough, noting how complex the case had been before genetic analysis. They applied a technique known as Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing, which examined thousands of DNA markers. With this technology, investigators gained much more than the standard DNA profiling methods provided.
Identifying Patricia Armentrout
After establishing a comprehensive DNA profile, Othram connected with a genealogy database and identified distant relatives of a woman named Patricia Armentrout. As investigators dug deeper, they realized that Armentrout had been adopted and was using a different name than the one listed on her birth certificate.
Relatives were finally traced, leading to a confirmed identification through the Maryland birth record discovered in another state. Detective Shirley acknowledged that while identifying Armentrout is a major milestone, it only completes half of the puzzle. “People don’t just end up on the side of Interstate 65 in a wooded area on their own and die,” he reflected.
As this case develops, the Kentucky State Police continue seeking information surrounding Armentrout’s death. Anyone with further insights or knowledge about the case is encouraged to contact KSP Post 3 at 270-782-2010.
