‘Jane Doe’ whose remains were found in 2015 ID’d as a 61-year-old Butler County woman

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The skeletal remains found four years ago today by children in a wooded area belongs to Darlene Wilson Norcross, 61 of West Chester Twp., officials said in a joint press conference held by the Butler County Coroner’s Office and West Chester Twp. Police.

“The cause and manner of her death remain undetermined,” said Butler County Coroner Lisa Mannix during the press conference.

Because a cause and manner of death is unknown, Mannix said this is remains an open investigation.

 

The Butler County Coroner’s Office and West Chester Twp. Police announced this week they had positively identified the remains of a woman found on March 7, 2015, in a wooded area behind a home on Gregory Creek Lane.

The coroner’s office said previously that skeletal remains and a biological profile were used to generate an image of “Jane Doe” in the summer of 2015.

Darlene Wilson Norcross.

icon to expand image

On March 9, 2015, children found a skull in the woods behind their Gregory Creek Lane home in West Chester Twp. A facial reconstruction of Jane Doe was completed, but her identity remained unknown until a March 7, 2019 press conference.

icon to expand image

 

Mannix said the family has been helpful and is “grateful for their assistance.” She said they have asked for privacy. Norcross has been reunited with her family, and has been laid to rest.

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Mannix said rain and snow made finding additional remains difficult when the children found the skull. However, all of the woman’s remains were collected once the weather in 2015 cleared, along with other items believed to have belonged to her, she said.

No forms of identification were with or around the remains when they were recovered, and West Chester Twp. police believed the woman was in the West Chester Twp. area in late fall 2014.

Anyone with information on Norcross’ disappearance should call West Chester Twp. Police at 513-777-2231.

———

TRENDING STORIES 

>> Is using pacemaker data ‘stealing personal information’? Judge in Middletown arson case says ‘no’ 

>> Large Middletown bust underlines growing police concern: The rise of meth 

>> Officially coming this spring: Drinking outdoors, inside shops at Liberty Center

About the Authors