Dawn Olanick (August 5, 1964 – July 1982), previously known as Princess Doe, was a previously unidentified American teenage decedent from

Bohemia, New York Bohemia is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 10,180 at the 2010 census. It is situated along the South Shore of Long Island in the Town of Islip, approximately 50 miles from N ...

who was found murdered in Cedar Ridge Cemetery in

Blairstown Township, New Jersey Blairstown is a township in Warren County, New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, Blairstown's population was 5,704. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 5,967 Her face had been bludgeoned beyond recognition. She was the first unidentified decedent to be entered in the

National Crime Information Center The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) is the United States' central database for tracking crime-related information. The NCIC has been an information sharing tool since 1967. It is maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Services Di ...

. Olanick was publicly identified on the 40th anniversary of her discovery. Arthur Kinlaw has been charged with first degree murder in Olanick's case. Olanick's body was buried in the Cedar Ridge Cemetery, not far from where she was discovered, in January 1983. Her remains were exhumed in 1999 so that samples could be collected for DNA testing, which was extracted from her femur in Baltimore, Maryland. Olanick was reburied in the same grave. Prior to her 2022 identification, Olanick was known as "Princess Doe" a nickname given to her by Lt. Eric Kranz of the Blairstown Police Department, who was the first law enforcement official to respond to the scene of her discovery.

Discovery and examination

On the morning of July 15, 1982, gravedigger George Kise discovered the body of Olanick in the rear of Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Blairstown, New Jersey. The body was found lying on its back just over a steep bank that leads to a creek below. The victim's face had been beaten beyond recognition with a yet-to-be-determined object. Due to the significant decomposition of her body, her eye color could not be discerned. The body was clad in a red short-sleeved shirt. A peasant-style skirt was found lying on top of the victim's legs. No undergarments were found. Despite this, no conclusive evidence of sexual assault was found, but this was difficult to determine because of the degree of decay of the body. A golden cross necklace was found tangled in the victim's hair. Two earrings were found in her left ear. Red nail polish was found on the right hand only and she had no known surgical scars, distinct birth marks or tattoos. Scars or marks on the head/face area would not be known due to the condition of the body. The front two teeth were slightly darker than the other teeth. The victim's appendix and tonsils were intact. Forensic anthropologists determined that the victim was not pregnant and had never given birth, and was most likely between the ages of 14 and 18 years old at the time of her death. Toxicology did not reveal any traces of drugs, but was not entirely conclusive because of the time elapsed between the death and discovery of the body. It is believed that the body was discovered after two to three days, or possibly even weeks, of exposure to the elements. This was especially difficult to determine because of the hot and humid weather in the area at the time. Examination indicated that the girl had attempted to fight back or defend from her attacker, as trauma to her hands and arms was observed.

Investigation

Diane Genice Dye

For many years, Princess Doe was thought to be Diane Genice Dye, a missing teenager from

San Jose, California San Jose, officially San José (; ; ), is a major city in the U.S. state of California that is the cultural, financial, and political center of Silicon Valley and largest city in Northern California by both population and area. With a 2020 popul ...

, who vanished on July 30, 1979. This theory was propagated by several law enforcement officials in the state of New Jersey, who went as far as to hold a press conference identifying Diane Dye as Princess Doe. However, Lt. Eric Kranz, the Princess Doe case's original lead investigator, maintained that Diane Dye was not a viable candidate for Princess Doe's identity. Kranz's feelings were shared by Diane's family and investigators in California, who were particularly incensed by the conduct of New Jersey law enforcement. In 2003, Princess Doe's DNA was compared with a DNA sample from Diane's mother Patricia, and it was conclusively determined that the Princess Doe was not Diane Dye.

Arthur and Donna Kinlaw

In 1999, evidence came to light that Arthur and Donna Kinlaw may have been involved in Princess Doe's murder. Donna was arrested in California for attempting to commit welfare fraud by using the name "Elaina", which was traced to a Long Island native. When the police questioned her, she gave them details about the murder of "Linda" and her testimony put the Kinlaws behind bars; Donna gave details about two murders Arthur had committed, of two other female victims who remain unidentified. After Arthur was faced with a death sentence, Donna told authorities that Kinlaw had killed another woman, a sex worker, earlier in 1982. She told police that she was with Arthur in the cemetery and witnessed him commit the murder. Another report states that Donna Kinlaw said that in July 1982, her husband brought home a teenage girl, left home and returned without her. He later apparently disposed of his clothing and cleaned his vehicle. Afterward, he threatened his wife, claiming if she did not attend her job, he would "take her life" as he did to the girl he brought home. However, a lack of corroboration meant that Arthur Kinlaw was not charged. Lt. Stephen Speirs, who worked on the case as a member of the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, from which he is now retired, stated that Kinlaw "claimed responsibility for her death. But I have no physical evidence to confirm that, and without the identity of Princess Doe, I have no way of connecting the dots, so to speak, putting her in a place where he could have been or would have been at the same time." Speirs also reported that he doubted the confession because the Kinlaws could not provide a name for Princess Doe, even though they had claimed to have been with her for a period of time. Despite the fact that he questions the credibility of their statements, Speirs does believe the victim was native to Long Island, New York. However, Donna Kinlaw was interviewed by a forensic artist who created a sketch of the girl she claimed to have met, which does resemble the most recent composite. Arthur Kinlaw remains incarcerated for two counts of second-degree murder. Apart from the Kinlaws, several other suspects have been reconsidered to be involved in the case. Following the 2022 identification of Princess Doe as Dawn Olanick, Arthur Kinlaw was reconsidered as a suspect and later charged with Olanick's murder.

Later developments

After seeing images of the girl's clothing in a newspaper, a witness named Annemarie Latimer reported to officials that she remembered seeing a girl wearing the same clothing as Princess Doe purchasing cigarettes on July 13, 1982, just two days before her body was found. Latimer stated that she was shopping with her daughter at a supermarket across from the cemetery and observed, and was able to describe, the victim's unique clothing. The shirt and skirt themselves were traced to a manufacturer in the Midwestern United States, although the brand labels were missing. Three people reported, after viewing photos, that they bought similar clothes at a Long Island store, which is now closed. It is unknown if the store was specifically located in Long Island or possibly in other locations. The 2012 composite of the victim also generated new tips, as it resembled several missing girls from the country. Her body was re-exhumed in November 2020 using a grant, and she underwent DNA extraction for genetic genealogy. One theory was submitted that Princess Doe may have been a runaway and could have been an individual using false names while employed at a hotel in Ocean City, Maryland. In 2012, a sample of her hair and a tooth were examined through isotope analysis and indicated that the victim was most likely born in the United States. The sample of her hair indicated that she had lived at least seven to ten months in the Midwestern or Northeastern United States. The tooth sample indicated she could possibly be from Arizona. It is also believed that the girl had spent a long period of time in Long Island, New York.

Media appearances

''MISSING'' (HBO Documentary)

After extensive print media coverage in 1982, Lt. Eric Kranz, the original lead investigator from the Blairstown Police Department, was contacted by HBO regarding the Princess Doe case and asked if the channel could chronicle the case in an upcoming documentary entitled ''MISSING''. Kranz agreed and the segment was filmed over the course of several weeks. Kranz was shown following leads as they came in. The documentary was notable for containing actual footage of the recovery of Princess Doe's body along with footage shot by HBO of Princess Doe's 1983 funeral. The documentary also contained a segment following the

Johnny Gosch John David Gosch (November 12, 1969 – disappeared September 5, 1982) was a paperboy in West Des Moines, Iowa, who disappeared between 6 and 7 a.m. on September 5, 1982. He is presumed to have been kidnapped. , there have been no arrests made a ...

disappearance. Lt. Kranz, now retired, coined the name "Princess Doe" early in the investigation and also managed to get the case covered extensively in the media.''Princess Doe''. HBO. Blairstown, New Jersey, 1983. Television. The case was used as the impetus for recording unidentified crime victims in the

NCIC The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) is the United States' central database for tracking crime-related information. The NCIC has been an information sharing tool since 1967. It is maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Services Di ...

database at the national level. Princess Doe became the first such case entered by the FBI director.

Miscellaneous

The case was featured on ''

America's Most Wanted ''America's Most Wanted'' (often abbreviated as ''AMW'') is an American television program whose first run was produced by 20th Television, and second run is under the Fox Alternative Entertainment division of Fox Corporation. At the time of i ...

'' in 2012 in hopes to generate new information in the case. The same year, the most recent reconstruction was broadcast on CNN. In 2022 the case was featured on the true-crime podcast Method & Madness.

Burial and memorials

Olanick was buried on January 22, 1983, after she had remained unidentified for over five months. Donated funds were used to pay for the victim's coffin and headstone. The headstone was engraved with the text "Princess Doe. Missing from home. Dead among strangers. Remembered by all." On July 15, 2012, a memorial service was held for the 30th anniversary of Olanick's body being discovered, at the top of the ravine where her remains were found. Over 100 citizens attended as well as several reporters and cameras. The victim's clothing as well as her reconstructions were displayed for public viewing. On October 12, 2014, Olanick (as "Princess Doe") was honored at a missing persons rally in the area.

Identification

In May 2021, investigators were notified by the NCMEC or

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1984 by the United States Congress. In September 2013, the United States House of Representatives, United States Senate, and the Pres ...

, who were collaborating with Astrea Forensics, about obtaining DNA markers from degraded samples of Princess Doe's body using a grant. On June 18, 2021, investigators received the news that Astrea Forensics agreed to extract DNA and construct a

DNA profile DNA profiling (also called DNA fingerprinting) is the process of determining an individual's DNA characteristics. DNA analysis intended to identify a species, rather than an individual, is called DNA barcoding. DNA profiling is a Forensic DNA ...

. On February 10, 2022, Astrea Forensics relayed to investigators that the creation of a DNA data file was successful. The results were sent to the NCMEC's consulting

genealogists Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinsh ...

from Innovative Forensics Investigations. The managing officer was Jennifer Moore who agreed to perform unlimited genealogy free of charge. On February 22, 2022, Innovative Forensics announced to investigators that they had found a candidate for Princess Doe. Investigators went to West Babylon, New York where they met Robert Olanick Jr, Princess Doe's brother. They also collected a DNA sample from Princess Doe's sister which Mitotyping Technology used to build a

mitochondrial DNA Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA or mDNA) is the DNA located in mitochondria, cellular organelles within eukaryotic cells that convert chemical energy from food into a form that cells can use, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondrial D ...

profile. The Union County Prosecutor's Office Forensic Laboratory assisted by creating a STR DNA profile through the victim's sister's DNA sample. Mitotyping Technology sent their results to the Union County Prosecutor's Office Forensic Laboratory who then sent both the mitochondrial DNA and STR DNA profiles to the

University of North Texas Center for Human Identification The University of North Texas Center for Human Identification is a national resource for the identification of missing and unidentified persons at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. UNTCHI combines the services of a forensic DNA l ...

. On April 29, 2022, the Center identified Princess Doe as Dawn Olanick. She was formally announced on July 15, 2022, the 40th anniversary of her discovery. Prior to her disappearance, Olanick lived with her mother and sister in the city of

Bohemia Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...

Long Island Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United Sta ...

after her parents divorced. Robert Olanick Jr. said that she left home around June 24, 1982, at their mother's request and was never seen or heard from again. Arthur Kinlaw has been charged with one count of homicide as a result of the subsequent investigation, witness statements, and his confession of Olanick's murder. It is believed that Olanick refused his demands to go into prostitution and was driven to New Jersey. They both ended up in Blairstown, where Kinlaw murdered her in the Cedar Ridge Cemetery. Neither Olanick or Kinlaw had a connection with the town. Kinlaw remains imprisoned at the

Sullivan Correctional Facility Sullivan Correctional Facility is a New York State maximum security prison correctional facility for male prisoners located in Fallsburg, New York. It is operated by the New York State Department of Correctional Services. Sullivan is located ...

Fallsburg, New York Fallsburg is a town in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The town is in the eastern part of the county. The population was 14,192 at the 2020 census. (It is not to be confused with the hamlet of Fallsburg which bears a similar name and ...

. Investigators are now looking to piece together Dawn Olanick's movements in the time leading up to her death.

Other information

*NCIC Case Number: U630870962 *Porchlight for the Missing Case Number: NJF820715 *Princess Doe website (http://www.princessdoe.org)

References

External links

* * *
Who is Princess Doe?
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Olanick, Dawn 1964 births 1980s missing person cases 1982 deaths 1982 murders in the United States 20th-century women Deaths by beating in the United States Deaths by person in New Jersey Female murder victims Formerly missing people History of women in New Jersey Incidents of violence against girls Missing person cases in New York (state) Murdered American children News media manipulation People from West Babylon, New York People murdered in New Jersey Unsolved murders in the United States Violence against women in the United States