On June 19, 1986, a fisherman discovered the body of a woman floating in a lake in southeastern Louisiana. The victim, known only as “Lake Lady Jane Doe” for nearly 40 years, was recently identified through new DNA technology as 33-year-old Pamela Lee Hupp by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Hupp’s remains were found in Lake Pontchartrain near Slidell, and her death was ruled a homicide caused by asphyxia. She was also pregnant at the time of her death. Despite her identification, the identity of Hupp’s killer remains unknown.
Hupp’s case was featured on “America’s Most Wanted,” and after years of investigation, a grant in September 2022 allowed for further DNA analysis and genealogy research, ultimately leading to her identification in April 2023. Hupp, born in April 1958 and last known to reside in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was not in Florida at the time of her death. The sheriff’s office continues to seek information about the case and encourages anyone with information to come forward.
Sheriff Randy Smith expressed gratitude to the investigators who worked on the case and stated that they will not stop until they identify and apprehend the person responsible for Hupp’s death. Those with information are urged to contact the sheriff’s office at (985) 898-2341 or Detective Winston Harbin at (985) 276-1355.
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