DNA evidence gives new clue to mystery at heart of "Mom-in-the-Box" cold case

821     0
Police went on to reveal the woman who had named herself Francesca Jacobs was actually Linda Rae Jacobs
Police went on to reveal the woman who had named herself Francesca Jacobs was actually Linda Rae Jacobs

New DNA evidence has led police to identity a woman at centre of the bizarre "Mom-in-The-Box" cold case.

The woman was found dead in a Monterey home in California, nearly a decade ago while the body of another woman was discovered inside a box under her kitchen table.

Monterey Police Department responded to the grim case in February 2024 - with the woman now identified by her driver's license as 58-year-old Francesca Linda Jacobs. Cops said Jacobs died from starvation and they did not suspect foul play, but while at her home they found the "decomposed remains of another person inside a box under the kitchen table."

DNA evidence gives new clue to mystery at heart of "Mom-in-the-Box" cold case eiqrrixidquinvThe woman found dead from starvation in a vehicle in Monterey in February 2014 (KION-TV)

A search of the apartment found Francesca Jacobs had left a will naming the woman in the box as her mother, Florence Jacobs. Samples from both women were used to create DNA profiles that were tested by a private forensics lab in Texas, reports CBS News.

Police went on to reveal findings they branded "surprising facts" in the case as the woman who had named herself Francesca Jacobs was actually Linda Rae Jacobs, born in 1942, not 1955. Detectives were able to contact relatives of the women, from the accurate DNA reports.

Tragedy as 13-month-old boy dies after the stolen car he was in crashedTragedy as 13-month-old boy dies after the stolen car he was in crashed

In a statement Police said: "The reasons Linda Rae Jacobs assumed a new name or why she would keep her mother's body in a box under the kitchen table will likely never be known."

Abigail O'Leary

DNA, Police, CBS Corporation

Read more similar news:

01.02.2023, 05:53 • Crime
Outrage as abandoned baby found in pram on beach, with mum off for a coffee
01.02.2023, 12:21 • Crime
Families told to stay inside church as armed cops chased dog that killed girl, 4
01.02.2023, 12:31 • Crime
Girl, 4, killed by dog in Milton Keynes attack to be mourned at community vigil
01.02.2023, 15:05 • Crime
Brit has fingertip bitten off by Russian woman in beach beanbag argument
01.02.2023, 17:14 • Crime
Man sues police when he loses his job after cops include him in fugitive list
02.02.2023, 02:39 • Crime
Double amputee's ex-wife insists he was 'no threat' as he was shot dead by cops
02.02.2023, 08:28 • Crime
Boy, 3, dies after being left in sweltering car in 34C heat 'throughout the day'
02.02.2023, 11:39 • Crime
Driver doing double the speed limit killed 2 boys as they played on their bikes
02.02.2023, 13:48 • Crime
Dances with Wolves star arrested on sex abuse claims 'armed cult against police'
02.02.2023, 20:20 • Crime
Unreleased Tyre Nichols footage set to show what cops said after fatal beating