“Today is a good day for us,” said County Coroner Dr. Lisa Mannix. She was joined during press conference by forensic anthropologist Dr. Elizabeth Murray of Mount St. Joseph University, West Chester Police Lt. David Tivin, Detective Travis Oakes and coroner’s investigator Clint Nigg.
Brothers Parker, Cole and Caleb Wilhelm found a skull in the woods behind their Gregory Creek Lane home in West Chester Twp. Rain and snow made finding additional remains difficult, Mannix said. But when the weather cleared, all of the woman’s remains were collected, along with other items believed to have belonged to her.
A biological profile was developed of the remains, facial reconstruction was developed and DNA profiles were put into national databases to look for associations with missing persons’ DNA, Mannix said. Dental implants found with the remains were also sent for comparison to more that 200 dental offices.
But there were still no leads for years, Mannix said.
“In 2018, Dr. Murray approached me about a new forensic DNA project that we might be able to utilize,” Mannix said.
The program, DNA Doe Project, involves volunteer genetic genealogists developing family trees based on DNA submitted to GEDMatch. Earlier this week, positive identification was made after family reference samples were provided and dental records were obtained.
Mannix said Norcross’ family has been helpful, but “has asked for their privacy in this situation.”
The coroner said Norcross has been laid to rest and reunited with her family.
There is no cause and manner of death for Norcross, and the case remains open. Tivin said it is a death investigation, but there was no signs of trauma to the body.
Norcross was not reported missing, according to officials.
“I don’t know why she wasn’t reported missing,” Mannix said. “The important thing for anyone out there, if you have someone that’s missing, report them.”
Norcross was married on the East Coast, got a divorce and moved to West Chester Twp. on her own, said Tivin.
“She lived in a condo on her own, no children, her parents had passed away so there were really no relatives,” Tivin said. “It is unfortunate, I mean she was somebody’s neighbor, she was somebody’s friend and they all chose not to wonder where she went.”
Anyone with information about Norcross is asked to call the West Chester Police Department at 513-777-2231.
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