Remains of Florida Murder Victim Identified After 47 Years

Patricia Ann Ritchie was last seen in Virginia in 1977 before her body was discovered near Boca Raton in 1978.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Authorities in Palm Beach County, Florida have identified human remains discovered in a wooded area near Boca Raton in 1978 as those of Patricia Ann Ritchie, a woman from Harrisonburg, Virginia who was in her early 20s when she went missing in 1977. The case remains an active homicide investigation as investigators seek information from anyone who may have known Ritchie before her death.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges of identifying victims in cold cases, especially those involving transient individuals, and the importance of advanced forensic techniques like genetic genealogy in helping to solve decades-old crimes. It also raises questions about what happened to Ritchie and who may have been responsible for her death.

The details

Ritchie's skeletal remains were originally discovered by construction workers in 1978, but it took nearly 50 years to finally identify her through a partnership between the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and a private forensics lab that used genetic genealogy to trace her family history and confirm her identity.

  • Ritchie's remains were discovered on January 18, 1978.
  • In July 2024, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office began working with Othram, a Texas-based forensics lab, to pursue genetic genealogy testing.
  • By August 2025, the genealogical research team produced leads that enabled detectives to travel to Virginia and collect DNA samples.
  • On December 2, 2025, detectives were able to confirm the remains belonged to Patricia Ann Ritchie.

The players

Patricia Ann Ritchie

A woman from Harrisonburg, Virginia who was in her early 20s when she went missing in 1977 and whose remains were discovered near Boca Raton, Florida in 1978.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that investigated the discovery of Ritchie's remains and eventually identified her through a partnership with a private forensics lab.

Othram

A Texas-based private laboratory that specializes in advanced forensic DNA testing and helped the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office identify Ritchie through genetic genealogy.

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What they’re saying

“Investigators are seeking information from anyone in Virginia or West Virginia who may have known Ritchie and would be able to help reconstruct her movements before her death.”

— Investigator William Springer, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (Newsweek)

What’s next

The case remains an active homicide investigation, and authorities said renewed public awareness and potential DNA reference samples from relatives or associates could help identify persons of interest.

The takeaway

This case highlights the power of advanced forensic techniques like genetic genealogy in solving cold cases, even decades after a victim's remains are discovered. It also underscores the importance of public engagement and information-sharing in helping to piece together the final days of victims like Patricia Ann Ritchie.