Human remains discovered in Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania, more than 50 years ago have finally been identified as those of 14-year-old Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, who went missing in 1973.
On Thursday, November 21, Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Josh Lacey announced the identification of Ruth’s remains, which had been found on October 10, 1973, by two county game wardens in a wooded area off Moonshine Road.
The remains were decomposed and concealed under a plastic tarp, and initially, the cause of death was ruled “undetermined.”
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For years, investigators struggled to identify the young girl. In the years following the discovery, they created forensic busts of her face in an attempt to match her with missing persons reports, but they were unsuccessful.
However, in 2016, Ruth’s remains were exhumed for further analysis. With the help of genealogical testing and Astraia Labs, authorities were able to match the remains to Ruth this past October.
Ruth was last seen leaving for school at the beginning of the 1973 school year, but she never returned home.
Her disappearance had puzzled investigators for decades, and while her remains were found in 1973, the mystery surrounding her death lingered.
While the cause of death remains under investigation, Pennsylvania State Police have expressed suspicion about the circumstances of her death, particularly due to the way her body was found.
The coroner’s office is still determining whether it was a homicide.
At a press conference, State Trooper Ian Keck emphasized that identifying Ruth was a critical step in the investigation.
“Learning about her everyday life and who she associated with is a key part of this investigation,” he said.
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Ruth’s family expressed gratitude for the police’s efforts in identifying her, providing closure after more than five decades.
Their statement read, “Their work has provided us some closure on questions that have lingered for the past 51 years.”
The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover more details about Ruth’s life and the events leading to her tragic death.