Remains of a Tennessee woman killed in a 1975 assassination attempt have been identified nearly 50 years later

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A woman’s remains found in Maury County in 1975 have been identified nearly 50 years later, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

The sheriff’s department said on February 4, 1975, that two hunters had found remains on Joe Brown Road near Interstate 65. This year, the remains were determined to be that of a black woman between the ages of 17 and 21.

Her remains have since been kept at the University of Tennessee. Using DNA, the woman has now been identified as 19-year-old Annie Carolyn Jenkins.

Jenkins, of Memphis, had been visiting relatives in Chicago and left on a flight to Tennessee in the fall of 1974. The sheriff’s department said this was the last known contact with her family.

Jenkins’ remains will be returned to her family, who have been searching for her for 49 years. The murder investigation into her death is ongoing.

“Sheriff Bucky Rowland would like to thank Detective Keith Wrather, Lt. Jerry Williams (retired), Gina Wrather, genetic genealogist, and all others who have worked on this case over the years since 1975, and special thanks to the DNA Doe Project, their volunteers and donors who made this identification possible ” said the sheriff’s department.

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