Serial Killer Wayne Nance s Links to Woman s Death Probed After DNA Breakthrough
On 5/11/21 at 11:21 AM EDT
A cold case unit is probing possible links between serial killer Wayne Nance and a woman whose skeletal remains were recently identified.
The investigation to uncover any links between Janet Lee Lucas and Wayne Nance, known as the Missoula Mauler, came after officers announced they had finally identified her from remains that were found in 1985, in Missoula County, Montana.
The Missoula County Sheriff s Office said the cold case unit and other members of the force were scrutinizing all information about the 23-year-old s disappearance, including statements from family members.
Bullet-ridden victim of serial killer dubbed Missoula Mauler is revealed to be mom-of-one, 23, thanks to DNA testing - 36 years after her body was found in Montana creek
Janet Lee Lucas, from Washington state, identified as homicide victim dubbed Christy Crystal Creek whose skeletal remains were found in Montana in 1985
Officials harnessed DNA analysis and genealogical research to identify remains
Lucas, a mother of one, was 23 when she was last seen alive in Idaho in 1983; bear hunter found her remains in Missoula, Montana, two years later
Officials are trying to determine whether Lucas had been murdered by suspected serial killer Wayne Nance, dubbed Missoula Mauler
Alberto LuperonMay 11th, 2021, 5:23 pm
Janet Lee Lucas in 1979
Human remains discovered in 1985 by a hunter in Missoula County, Montana, have finally been identified. Authorities on Monday announced that the remains belonged to
Janet Lee Lucas, who was from Spokane, Washington, about three hours away.
Deputies are looking to see if Lucas might be the victim of a suspected and long-dead serial killer.
A bear hunter found the remains on September 9, 1985 near Crystal Creek, deputies said. Investigators could not figure out her identity. She became known as “Christy Crystal Creek” because of where she was discovered.
The remains were skeletonized.
When the Lucas was found, investigators identified shell fragments related to a .32 caliber firearm, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer
Montana Cold Case: Womanâs remains identified after 36 years
courtesy photo
By: MTN News
and last updated 2021-05-10 14:44:42-04
MISSOULA â An announcement has been made in a Montana cold case investigation that goes back 36 years.
The Missoula County Sheriffâs Office announced Monday that âit is with both great pride and sadnessâ that a name has been given to the unidentified remains previously known as âChristy Crystal Creekâ.â
Her name is Janet Lee Lucas. The skeletal remains of the 23-year-old woman from Spokane were found by a bear hunter near Crystal Creek on Sept. 9, 1985. The remains were not able to be identified when they were discovered.