In a breakthrough development, the remains of Susan Lund, who went missing in 1992, have finally been identified after nearly three decades. The discovery has brought renewed attention to her case, as her daughter Crystal was recently granted a family awareness grant from the nonprofit Season of Justice to raise awareness about her mother’s disappearance. Through this grant, billboards have been placed all over Clarksville, Tennessee, where Lund disappeared, offering a $10,000 reward for any information that could shed light on the case.
Lund’s disappearance on December 24, 1992, and the subsequent discovery of a woman’s remains on January 27, 1993, under the name “Ina Jane Doe,” had baffled investigators for years. However, in 2022, a confirmation was made that Ina Jane Doe was indeed Susan Lund. This revelation has reignited the search for answers about what happened to Lund.
Author and researcher Laurah Norton, co-creator of “The Fall Line” podcast, which focuses on unsolved cold cases in the South, chronicled Lund’s case in her new book, “Lay Them to Rest: On the Road with the Cold Case Investigators Who Identify the Nameless.” Norton’s book explores the use of forensic science in identifying John and Jane Does and sheds light on Lund’s tragic story.
The breakthrough in Lund’s case came when University of New Hampshire anthropologist Dr. Amy Michael contacted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to offer a reexamination of the case. Working with Norton, Michael found that features of the original sketch of Ina Jane Doe may have been exaggerated and commissioned a more accurate forensic sketch. This new sketch, along with persistent posts on social media and DNA analysis, led to the confirmation of Lund’s identity.
Lund’s family, who never gave up hope, is determined to find out who is responsible for her homicide. Rumors and speculation about Lund’s disappearance circulated in her hometown, with some suggesting she had run off with a boyfriend or was involved with drugs. However, her sisters always believed these rumors were baseless and continued to search for answers.
The identification of Lund’s remains has given her family some closure, but they are still seeking justice. Norton remains hopeful that the case will eventually be solved and urges the people of Clarksville to come forward with any information that could help crack the case. She believes that her book will not only shed light on Lund’s story but also give hope to other families with cold cases that they can find answers and closure.
The search for justice in Lund’s case serves as a reminder that no case should ever be considered unsolvable. With the right combination of forensic analysis, public awareness, and community cooperation, the truth can be uncovered. Lund’s family deserves closure, and it is up to the collective efforts of law enforcement and the public to bring them the answers they seek.
If you have any information about Susan Lund’s case, please contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office or the Jefferson County Crimestoppers.
