Do you know who murdered Margaret Fetterolf in 1975? On a Sunday morning in September of 1976, the body of a young woman was discovered partially wrapped in a white sheet on the side of Dogwood Road, near the back gate of a cemetery in Woodlawn, Maryland. For forty-five years, her identity remained a mystery, and she was known only as 'Woodlawn Jane Doe.' It was not until 2021 that advances in DNA testing and genetic genealogy finally gave her a name: Margaret Fetterolf.
A 16-year-old female of mixed White and Japanese heritage, Margaret had been reported missing by her family in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1975, a year before her body was found. She was a student at Hayfield Secondary School and was described by a family member as a habitual runaway.
An autopsy revealed the brutal nature of her death; she had been beaten, sexually assaulted, and strangled. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation. Toxicology reports showed the presence of chlorpromazine, an antipsychotic medication, in her system, suggesting she may have been sedated. Her hands were bound behind her back. Investigators found several distinctive items with her, including a rawhide necklace with a turquoise-colored bead, two brass keys attached to a safety pin, and a crude tattoo on her arm with letters that could have been 'JP' or something similar. Pollen evidence found on her clothing suggested she may have spent time in the Northeastern United States, possibly in areas like Boston or New York.
The discovery of a Ford Econoline van near where her body was found an hour before its discovery has been noted as possibly linked to the case, but this has not led to a resolution. Despite the passage of decades and the eventual identification of Margaret Fetterolf, her murder remains unsolved. Baltimore County Police continue to investigate her death as a cold case homicide. To date, no suspects have been publicly named or arrested in connection with her violent death. The authorities continue to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for her murder.
