Nearly 5 decades of mystery, the body of the woman known as the Nation River Lady has been identified as Jewell Lalla Langford. Photo/CNN
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said the identity of the woman was Jewell “Lalla” Langford, whose maiden name was Parchman. It is known that he traveled to Montreal in April 1975, but never returned home and his family reported him missing. His body was later found floating in the Nation River in eastern Ontario on May 3, 1975.
“In March 2022, his remains were returned to the United States, followed by memorial services and burial,” police said in a released statement, quoted by CNNThursday (6/7/2023).
According to the statement, forensic artist renderings and the three-dimensional facial approach developed in 2017 failed to identify Langford or any potential suspects. It wasn’t until late 2019 when Langford’s new DNA profile obtained by the Center for Forensic Science in Toronto matched samples taken from two people listed in the DNA family tree.
After a 47-year investigation, authorities were able to arrest a person living in Hollywood, Florida.
Rodney Nichols, 81, was criminally charged with Langford’s murder in an Ontario court late last year.
Police also said Langford and Nichols knew each other but did not elaborate on their relationship.
According to the release, Langford is a prominent member of the Jackson, Tennessee business community who co-owns a spa with her ex-husband.
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