A mystery that has lasted for 35 years has finally been solved after a woman was found dead in a dumpster in 1988.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation with the help of genealogy technology was able to identify the deceased body as 26-year old Chong Un Kim of Hinesville, Georgia.
On Feb. 14, 1988, the GBI received a request from the Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation. The victim, wrapped with plastic and duct tape, was found inside a large, nylon suitcase that had been placed in a dumpster just north of Millen, GA in Jenkins County.
The police statement said, “The victim had been dead for about four to seven days. The cause of death was asphyxiation. Throughout the investigation, fingerprints and dental records from the victim were compared to other missing persons from around the country.”
At the time, a forensic artist drew a sketch of the victim’s possible appearance, which was shown to the public.
“The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS) opened a case. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) also created and disseminated a computer-generated sketch,” the GBI said in the release.
Police tested the evidence again with better DNA technology, submitting it to the GBI Crime Lab. Analysts found DNA on the items submitted, but the profiles obtained were not eligible for entry into the CODIS DNA Database.
The GBI collaborated with Othram, a Texas-based company that “uses advanced DNA testing to solve cases,” by submitting forensic evidence in 2023 to develop a comprehensive genealogical profile of Kim.
After “Project Justice” funded the DNA testing, “a genealogical search produced investigative leads that led to Kim’s identification. The GBI notified Kim’s family in October 2023 about her body being identified.
In 1981, Kim relocated to the US from Korea and lived in Hinesville near Fort Stewart before her death. She has a sister who currently lives in New York.
Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby stated, “It’s still a good feeling to take one off the cold case list. I inherited this case from previous sheriffs. There were several people that were talked to and thought they might have seen something, but nothing ever really panned out.”
In a statement posted to Facebook, the GBI wrote, “There is still work to be done to solve the mystery surrounding Kim’s death, and we will work relentlessly to bring justice and closure to her family.”
The GBI is asking anyone who may have known Chong Un Kim, or has any information about this case, to contact the GBI at 912-871-1121. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
