BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — A 43-year-old cold case that was an unidentified woman in McLean County finally has a resolution.
Moxxy Forensic Investigations, in partnership with the McLean County Coroner’s Office and the McLean County Sheriff’s Office, positively identified a woman whose remains were discovered in rural McLean County in 1982.
Something called investigative genetic genealogical analysis was used to identify Linda Cecilia Haddad, who was originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Haddad was 39 years old at the time of her death.
Her remains were discovered by a passerby, along US Route 136 between Le Roy and Bellflower at about 1:35 p.m. on Feb. 2, 1982.
Medical examiners at the time found there was no foul play in her death, but still her identity remained a mystery.
She was initially described as being approximately 38-40 years old, 5’10” tall, with hazel eyes and black hair, weighing approximately 150 pounds.
The history of the case and how it was solved is detailed by Moxxy Forensic Investigations’ press release and those details were used to tell the rest of the story.
The 1982 investigation
Additional investigation by the McLean County Coroner’s Office, McLean County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police investigators followed up on considerable leads and tips from the public.
A locksmith in New York was identified from a key on her keychain, but the lead ended there.
Investigators at the time located and interviewed several people regarding “Jane Doe.” Multiple people reported giving her rides, or attempted to assist her in some way, dropping her off when requested, at numerous locations between Clinton, Bloomington, Heyworth and Le Roy, Illinois.
During the course of the investigation, the police reports say those who gave rides or tried to assist “Jane Doe” stated some of the things she talked about seemed unusual and her behavior seemed erratic. Some also reported she seemed agitated.
A passerby and an IDOT snowplow driver reportedly found “Jane Doe,” who we now know was Haddad. The way she was found indicated her death was self-inflicted.
But all the leads explored throughout 1982 to determine who she was were unsuccessful. That included the involvement of a forensic anthropologist from the University of Oklahoma, along with additional media releases.
Eventually, leads to figuring out who “Jane Doe” was dried up and by early December, she was buried in a rural Bloomington cemetery.
WATCH: Officials announced the findings at a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the McLean County Law and Justice Center:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BeJ57YH3T/
Following-up
In 2016, the McLean County Coroner’s Office was contacted by someone who was researching the case and presented some information they had developed, but it did not lead to her identification.
But “Jane Doe’s” DNA was uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), and an entry for the McLean County “Jane Doe” was submitted to NamUs. No hits or leads were developed from either upload.
By January 2021, the coroner’s office received a word from someone else researching the case. Based on the strength of the information for a possible candidate, the case was reopened. Ultimately, it was determined through comparison of DNA samples that “Jane Doe” was not the missing person from the tip.
But at this time, a review of the 1982 reports compiled by the involved law enforcement agencies was undertaken, and a timeline was developed to gain a better understanding of her movements prior to her death.
Turning points
Then, in Aug. 2023, an investigative genetic genealogist with Moxxy Forensic Investigations contacted the McLean County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Department about the cold case.
Moxxy’s mission is to identify previously unidentified deceased people and perpetrators of violent crimes, in addition to their advocacy for missing person cases.
The agencies met and Moxxy initiated a fundraising campaign. The goal was achieved in November 2024 and Moxxy started work with genealogical analysis in February 2025.
By late March, the team had developed a potential candidate for “Jane Doe.” Living genetic relatives of “Jane Doe” were identified, and a sample from one was taken and directly compared to her profile, with their close genetic relationship confirming the identity of Haddad.
Aug. 1, 2025, a final round of comparative testing determined “Jane Doe” was, in fact, Linda Cecilia Haddad, born August 27, 1942, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The science
The statement from Moxxy said the agency partnered with Atlanta, Georgia-based Genologue to sequence an existing DNA profile and Parabon NanoLabs of Reston, Virginia, to conduct bioinformatics. A digital kit was developed and uploaded to the public DNA database GEDmatch.
Seven of Moxxy’s investigative genetic genealogists conducted a month-long investigation before developing a viable lead that ultimately connected Haddad’s DNA profile with relatives who were able to assist in confirming her identity.
“Linda’s case is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when science, compassion, and determination come together,” said Kaycee Connelly, case lead and co-founder of Moxxy Forensic Investigations.
Haddad’s family
A statement from Haddad’s family said, “family and friends love her and have missed her greatly. We want to express our deepest condolences gratitude to the dedicated individuals at Moxxy Forensic Investigations, McLean County Coroner’s Office and the McLean County Sheriff’s Department, who went to great lengths to identify and locate us. We also want to thank the people of Le Roy, Illinois, who helped and cared for Linda in her time of need. After 42 years of searching and wondering, we are relieved to finally have some answers.”
Closing the case
“I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the skilled professionals at Moxxy Forensic Investigations and their partners,” said McLean County Sheriff Matt Lane. “Their expertise and dedication were instrumental in helping us bring resolution to this case and, most importantly, closure to the family and everyone impacted.”
The sheriff also recognized “the outstanding investigators from both the Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office, past and present, who worked tirelessly to retrace Linda’s steps and ultimately uncover her identity. Their commitment to resolving this investigation and compassion for the victim will not be forgotten.”
This was McLean County’s only unidentified person case.
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