local
Investigators identify Jane Doe found dead in Mississippi River after more than 50 years
By KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· June 24, 2026
· 1 min read
CLINTON CO., Iowa. (KWQC/Gray News) - Investigators identified the body, who they believed to be the longest known Jane Doe in Iowa.The body was identified as 15-year-old Cheryl Lynn Edwards.In April 1975, Clinton County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a dead woman in the Mississippi ...
Key takeaway The body was identified as 15-year-old Cheryl Lynn Edwards.
Why this matters in The Midland
The identification of Cheryl Lynn Edwards, a 15-year-old girl found dead in the Mississippi River over 50 years ago, brings a sense of closure to a case that had gone cold for decades. While the crime itself did not occur in the Midland area, the use of forensic genetic genealogy to crack the case is a technique that could have implications for local law enforcement agencies. Midland County officials may take note of the success of this method in identifying Edwards, and consider its potential application in solving their own unsolved cases. The Permian Basin region has its own share of cold cases, and the possibility of using genetic genealogy to bring closure to families and justice to victims is a promising development. As local authorities continue to work on solving their own crimes, they may look to the Edwards case as a model for the effective use of this technology.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? CLINTON CO., Iowa. (KWQC/Gray News) - Investigators identified the body, who they believed to be the longest known Jane Doe in Iowa.The body was identified as 15-year-old Cheryl Lynn Edwards.In April 1975, Clinton County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a dead woman in the Mississippi ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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