Skeletal remains found in Tomhicken identified after nearly 30 years
TOMHICKEN – Nearly thirty years ago, the skeletal remains of a woman were found off Tomhicken Road near this Sugarloaf Township village and, today, authorities know who she was.
The remains were found on Dec. 12, 1994 as crews were working on a mine reclamation project.
Since that time, investigators followed any leads possible to try to identify the woman, known to them as Sugarloaf Jane Doe.
State Police at Hazleton announced Tuesday that, thanks to DNA technology and forensic genealogy, a possible relative was discovered, who turned out to be her sister.
Thanks to that discovery, troopers said they identified the woman as Margaret Carol Wininger, who attended West Hazleton High School in the 1960s and went missing in the early 1990s when she was living with family in West Hazleton.
Troopers now have an identity, but no cause, and are asking anyone who had any contact with Wininger immediately prior to her disappearance to contact them. Trooper Brian Noll, of the Troop N Criminal Investigation Assessment Unit, can be contacted at 570-220-8475 or [email protected].
Troopers also thanked the public for their interest and attempts to assist in the case over the years and also thanked Othram Labs, of Texas, for their assistance as well.
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