On October 29, 2006, the body of a young woman was found lying face-down on a pile of burning brush in Kilgore, Texas. The fire had been set only minutes before discovery. The victim wore a purple sweater and jeans. Her pockets contained forty dollars. She had no identification.
Investigators estimated the victim was between 17 and 25 years old. Her weight was approximately 100 to 120 pounds. Her height ranged from 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches. Her hair appeared to be reddish or blond, possibly dyed, with some strawberry-blonde tones.
Her teeth were in excellent condition. She had no fillings or cavities, and two baby teeth were still present. This detail suggested that she had access to dental care. Investigators speculated she may have come from a middle-class background.
Initial assessments were inconsistent. Some believed she might have been as young as thirteen. Her race and sex were uncertain until further analysis. Later examination confirmed she was female.
The site where her body was found had a reputation in the local community. Residents referred to the area as a “killing ground” because of its remoteness and history of suspicious activity. The presence of an empty gasoline can and the condition of her remains led authorities to investigate the case as a homicide.
A forensic autopsy revealed the presence of semen, which indicated the possibility of sexual assault. The fire was determined to be an attempt to destroy evidence. Authorities believed she was killed between 8:15 PM and 10:00 PM on October 28, 2006.
Visual identification was not possible due to the condition of the body. Three separate reconstructions were developed. A clay model was made. A forensic artist created a sketch. In 2014, a digital composite was released using data from a CT scan. This scan was taken after an exhumation in October 2013.
The reconstructions were circulated publicly. Law enforcement compared the remains to a large number of missing persons cases. Dental records and DNA were used when available. None matched.
In one case, the mother of Brandi Wells contacted authorities. Her daughter had gone missing in August 2006 after visiting a nightclub in Longview, Texas. She believed the composite resembled her daughter. DNA testing ruled out the possibility.
A suspect emerged in 2007. Joseph Wayne Burnette, a 36-year-old convicted sex offender, was in prison at the time. Law enforcement announced their suspicion but Burnette denied involvement. He remained under scrutiny.
On August 27, 2018, Burnette confessed to two murders. He admitted killing the unidentified victim known as Lavender Doe. He also admitted to the 2018 murder of Felisha Pearson.
Burnette told investigators that the woman had been selling magazines. He approached her in a Walmart parking lot. He convinced her to enter his vehicle. After killing her, he disposed of the body by burning it in a remote area. He claimed her name might have been Ashley.
The victim, still unidentified at the time of Burnette’s confession, remained buried in Longview. In 2013, an exhumation was conducted to create a more accurate reconstruction. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted in producing a digital image based on CT data.
The case was taken up by the DNA Doe Project in 2018. The organization specializes in identifying John and Jane Does using forensic genealogy. They raised $1,400 to analyze the remains. A DNA profile was extracted and uploaded to GEDmatch.
The analysis showed Czech ancestry. Volunteers working with the DNA Doe Project built a family tree using available matches. Eventually, they located a first cousin once removed who lived approximately thirty miles from where the body was found.
By January 2019, the DNA Doe Project and its partners, including Aerodyne and Full Genomes Corporation, had identified the victim. Her name was Dana Lynn Dodd. She had been missing for more than a decade. Authorities confirmed the identity.
The public announcement of her identity came on February 11, 2019. Dana was born on September 6, 1985. Her mother left her in infancy and died in 2006. Her father was homeless at the time. She lived for a time with a stepmother and half-siblings.
She was last known to reside in Jacksonville, Florida. Dana left home in 2000 and was reportedly last seen in 2003. She joined a door-to-door magazine sales crew. These organizations were known to target young runaways. They offered the appearance of independence while providing little support or oversight.
Authorities believe Burnette encountered her while she was soliciting customers in a Walmart parking lot. Her disappearance was not reported. Her body remained unidentified for over twelve years.
Burnette pleaded guilty in December 2020. He was convicted of both murders and sentenced to fifty years for each. The sentences are concurrent.
Dana’s body remains at the White Cemetery in Longview. The grave had been maintained by community members and law enforcement personnel. Her name was added to the headstone following confirmation of identity.
The case of Dana Dodd is frequently cited in forensic and law enforcement training. It demonstrates how unidentified remains can be identified using modern DNA analysis and genealogical research. It also highlights challenges faced when dealing with victims who fall outside traditional tracking systems.
The identification process required coordination across multiple domains. It included forensic anthropology, law enforcement, nonprofit volunteers, and private laboratories. Each step was documented and verified.
This case also raises questions about the oversight of door-to-door sales operations that recruit vulnerable youth. Dana’s last known employment placed her in transient, unregulated environments. These conditions may have contributed to her vulnerability.
The process used to identify Dana Dodd is now applied to other cases. The DNA Doe Project continues to collaborate with law enforcement to resolve identities of other unknown victims. Dana’s identification is considered a milestone in the use of forensic genealogy.
Her remains, once anonymous, now serve as both a record and reminder. The tools that solved her case include DNA sequencing, genealogical databases, and persistent volunteer effort. Each link was built on a verified match and documented procedure.
This case file now serves as a model. It includes verified cause of death, timeline of disappearance, identification method, and prosecutorial outcome. It reflects the potential of coordinated, evidence-based cold case resolution. Dana Dodd’s name is now part of that record.
