I frequently receive inquiries about the most unusual search I’ve conducted, and I believe I may never come across a case as bizarre as that of “Finding Jane.”
Jane went missing from New Jersey following a family dispute in 1988, and it wasn’t until nearly two decades later, in 2000, that I discovered her deceased and homeless. I learned that Jane had made her home on the side of a major highway, living in two tents—one for herself and one for the 15 cats she cared for. In the community, she was affectionately known as Jane “Doe.” She waved at drivers passing by on the highway and volunteered at a local soup kitchen. After joining a church in 1998, she was baptized and found solace there before her passing. Here is how I ultimately located her:
• I began by searching public records in Florida, where I found indications that she had several encounters with the law—including multiple stops for driving without a valid license and arrests for shoplifting, from which she was released.
• Further public records revealed that she had been involved with three other individuals in the purchase and subsequent foreclosure of a home.
• Curiously, after 1999, I found no trace of her. Someone like Jane wouldn’t just stop getting into trouble unless she was either incarcerated or deceased. I checked the state prison system, but found no record of her, and my search of the Social Security system turned up empty (this particular tool is only available three years after death and only if a family member files for the benefit)
• My next step was to scour local newspapers for any mention of her name, as small-town papers often print even the most trivial stories. To my surprise, I found a heartbreaking article detailing Jane’s life and death as a homeless individual. It explained that she had arrived in the area in a van during the late ’80s, eventually having to leave the van and take residence in tents. The article provided a phone number for a woman who was working to find homes for Jane’s cats and mentioned a funeral at a church, including its name. I immediately reached out to the woman, praying that the number was still active and that she would remember Jane. Thankfully, she did and shared some history on Jane, illuminating how she had befriended her in her final days and helped find homes for her beloved cats. She also disclosed a poignant detail of the original dispute: Jane had left New Jersey in 1988 because one of her daughters married Jane’s ex-husband (her stepfather). I noted that important piece of information for later.
• Next, I contacted the church. Although I was fairly certain it was the same church mentioned in the original article, I wanted to verify. You’d be surprised at how often a seemingly definitive lead can turn out to be misleading. I didn’t want to deliver potentially distressing news to a family only to find it was inaccurate. The church couldn’t provide a picture, but they did have a record of Jane’s baptism, two years before her death—a detail that would offer comfort to her family.
• I then reached out to the Department of Motor Vehicles to acquire a copy of her driver’s license photo based on the license number I had obtained earlier. Unfortunately, I learned that this information was not accessible unless I got a request from the police in New Jersey. I decided to hold off on that plan for now, keeping it as a last resort.
• My focus shifted to contacting Jane’s family. Upon reviewing the email request, I realized it could have been sent by a very young grandchild or the granddaughter who was pregnant. I wasn’t comfortable sharing such sensitive information with a minor or expectant mother. Instead, I replied to the “blind” email, asking for a contact number to gather more details. I also began searching for the granddaughter online. I routinely check social media for individuals under 50 during my searches, and I struck luck that day—I found the granddaughter, and indeed, she was the pregnant woman I had hypothesized about. Now, I faced the challenge of reaching out to her family or friends to ensure someone would be there with her as I prepared to make the call with the information I had uncovered. I successfully messaged some of her friends on MySpace.
• The next day, I received an email from the granddaughter. Thankfully, she had shared with her mother that she was searching for her grandmother, which allowed me to receive her name and phone number for more details. At this point, she was unaware that I had already done extensive research and believed I was just starting my investigation and needed additional information from the 1980s.
• The call begins slowly as I made sure the woman isn’t home alone. I tell her I’ve done some research and discovered her mother has had some legal troubles. She acknowledges this isn’t new and mentions that similar issues occurred in New Jersey. I then inquire about the individuals with whom she bought the house that went into foreclosure, and she confirms they are the same people she left New Jersey with. At this point, I can only be certain that I’ve found her public records; it’s still possible that this isn’t the same Jane who tragically died of a heart attack and lived homeless with 15 cats.
• Once I feel confident that I’m speaking with the right person, I ask her a personal question that will help solidify the connection: “I don’t wish to pry into your family matters, but by any chance, did you or your sister marry one of your mother’s ex-husbands?” When she replies affirmatively that her sister did, I realize it is indeed the right moment to share the rest. I express my deep sympathies, telling her that if I could be there in person to hold her hand, I would; the last thing I want is to deliver such devastating news over the phone.
• The family was heartbroken, yet they found solace in knowing, they have closure and know she made peace with her Lord before she passed away.
In total:
• 100 websites
• 15 with good information
• 20 hours of research
• $2.95 for a news clipping.
Final closure for the family………..Absolutely priceless