The Will County Coroner’s office details the positive identification of a woman whose remains were discovered in Will County, Illinois, in 1968, closing a cold case that lingered for over half a century. Through the combined efforts of law enforcement, forensic scientists, genealogists, and the support of family and community, the identity of Martha Bassett—a 33-year-old Native American woman originally from Wapato, Yakima, Washington—was finally restored. This case is emblematic not only of advances in forensic science but also of the enduring determination of families and officials to bring closure to long-unsolved tragedies.
On Sept. 30, 1968, the remains of a female were found in the brush near the intersection of I-55 and Blodgett Road in unincorporated Will County. The woman was a murder victim whose identity would remain unknown for decades. At the time, investigative resources and forensic technology were limited, and despite efforts, authorities were unable to make a positive identification. The unidentified victim was interred in Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington, Illinois.
Background of the Victim
Martha Bassett was born in Washington State and was a member of the Native American community from Wapato, Yakima. In 1960, she relocated to the Chicago area as part of the Indian Relocation Act of 1956, a federal initiative that sought to encourage Indigenous peoples to move from reservations to urban centers. By 1967, Martha lost contact with her family, who, concerned for her welfare, traveled to Chicago in a determined effort to find her. Unfortunately, their exhaustive search was unsuccessful, and the family returned home without answers.
For decades, the case of the unidentified woman found in Will County remained unsolved. The lack of leads, limited means of communication between jurisdictions, and absence of technological tools like DNA testing kept the identity of the victim a mystery.
Reopening the Case: Renewed Forensic Efforts (2009)
In 2009, Will County Coroner Patrick O’Neil established a cold case unit to address lingering mysteries such as this one. The investigation was led by experienced law enforcement professionals, including retired Romeoville Investigator Eugene Sullivan and the late Will County Sheriff’s Investigator James Cardin.
That year, the team exhumed the remains buried in Oakwood Cemetery, seeking to leverage advances in forensic science to finally bring answers. Portions of the skeletal remains were sent to the University of North Texas and the Smithsonian Institute Paleontology Department. Their initial analyses determined that the remains were possibly of Native American descent, a detail that provided a crucial clue to the victim’s identity.
Advancement in Forensic Anthropology (2017)
Further study was conducted in 2017 by Dr. Cris Hughes and the University of Illinois Forensic Anthropology Department. Their analysis corroborated the earlier conclusion, indicating that the remains could be of both Asian and Native American descent. This additional detail further narrowed the potential pool of missing persons, guiding investigators toward new avenues.
Outreach and Collaboration
Recognizing the unique cultural background suggested by the remains, current Cold Case Investigator William Sheehan and Investigator Joe Piper, both retired Lockport Police Detectives, took an innovative approach. They reached out proactively to Native American tribes in Illinois and Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, inquiring about any missing person reports from the late 1960s that matched the victim’s description. Cooperation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs was instrumental, fostering the creation and dissemination of a flyer about the case that was published on social media and distributed within Native communities. This led to a lead that was generated, and we contacted Emily Washines out of Washinton State who is a distant relative of Martha, Emily created a background on Martha and this office was able to make contact with a niece of Martha who provided the necessary DNA to make the match. This was accomplished by cooperation from the community, family and the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Washington.
Renewed Exhumation and DNA Analysis (2024)
On Sept. 13, 2024, Coroner Laurie H. Summers authorized another exhumation that was undertaken by the Will County Coroner’s cold case unit in partnership with the Will County Sheriff’s Police. The purpose was to extract additional DNA from the remains, hoping that more advanced gene sequencing techniques could yield a definitive match. Portions of the skeleton were sent to Othram, a forensic genetic genealogy company in Woodlands, Texas. This organization specializes in using cutting-edge DNA analysis to provide genealogy matches that could identify victims or perpetrators in cold cases. Coroner Summers has made the identification of this case and others a priority since taking office in 2020.
The forensic investigation was made possible by funding from the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS), an initiative of the Department of Justice. NAMUS provides critical resources for the identification of missing and unidentified persons, ensuring that cases like this one receive the attention and tools necessary for resolution.
Breakthrough and Identification
Through the concerted efforts described above, a breakthrough was finally achieved. Genetic genealogy provided a match, confirming that the remains were those of Martha Bassett, the 33-year-old woman from Wapato, Yakima, Washington, who had moved to Chicago in 1960. After more than 50 years, Martha was no longer a nameless victim, and her family was finally given closure.
This case highlights several important themes:
• The Power of Persistence: The unwavering dedication of Martha Bassett’s family, who never stopped searching, and the determination of law enforcement and forensic experts, made resolution possible.
• Advances in Forensic Science: The use of DNA analysis and genetic genealogy has revolutionized the way cold cases are solved, turning what were once impassable barriers into pathways for discovery.
• Collaboration Across Agencies: The successful identification was the product of cooperation between local law enforcement, federal agencies, Native American communities, universities, and private forensic companies.
• The Importance of Support Networks: The funding and logistical support from organizations like NAMUS and the Department of Justice are indispensable for the complex process of resolving cold cases.
The resolution of the 1968 Will County cold case represents a triumph of scientific progress, interagency cooperation, and human perseverance. Martha Bassett’s identity, lost to history for more than half a century, has been restored, allowing her family and community to honor her memory and finally lay her to rest. The case stands as a testament to what can be achieved when modern technology is applied with compassion and resolve—and it offers hope to the families of other missing persons that answers, though sometimes delayed, can still be found.
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