Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP5755) and 6 other sources
Kathleen Anne Meyers, a 26-year-old woman from New Castle, Delaware, was last seen on October 16, 1988. She disappeared while walking along Route 40, an area known for several other disappearances around that time. Meyers was believed to have entered a blue van, an observation made by an off-duty police officer. This van was later linked to Steven Brian Pennell, also known as the Route 40 Killer, who was apprehended 10 days after Kathleen went missing.

Although Kathleen's body has never been found, Pennell was charged with her murder, along with the murders of several other women. He pleaded no contest to multiple murder charges and was executed in 1992, marking the first execution in Delaware since 1946. Despite his conviction, the exact location of Kathleen's remains remains unknown, leaving her family without closure.

Authorities connected her case to Pennell’s string of brutal killings, which involved abducting women, torturing them, and disposing of their bodies along remote areas near the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Kathleen’s case remains classified as an unresolved disappearance, even though her killer was convicted and executed.

Last Seen: Oct 16, 1988

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP122455 • Found Mar 31, 1991
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Sex ✓Female
Age 84%Est. 30–39 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%33 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0"–5'2" vs 5'3"–5'4"
Weight 100%115–140 lb vs 115–120 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Staten Island, New York - unidentified case UP6955
Jane Doe — Staten Island, New York
UP6955 • Found Sep 6, 1989
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 26
Race 100%White
Location 76%97 mi away
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"–5'4"
Weight 100%110 lb vs 115–120 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Hackensack, New Jersey
UP1617 • Found Jul 19, 1992
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Sex ✓Female
Age 98%Est. 30–40 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 72%117 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"–5'4"
Weight 91%137 lb vs 115–120 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Brielle, New Jersey - unidentified case UP2274
Jane Doe — Brielle, New Jersey
UP2274 • Found Jun 15, 2008
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%86 mi away
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"–5'4"
Weight 100%123 lb vs 115–120 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 70%Hazel vs Green
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP2721
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP2721 • Found Jan 12, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%28 mi away
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"–5'4"
Weight 45%160 lb vs 115–120 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
78%Possible
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP6124
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP6124 • Found May 8, 1999
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 73%110 mi away
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"–5'4"
Weight 100%125 lb vs 115–120 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Odessa, Delaware - unidentified case UP2212
Jane Doe — Odessa, Delaware
UP2212 • Found Nov 25, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–45 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"–5'4"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Frederick, Maryland - unidentified case UP1665
Jane Doe — Frederick, Maryland
UP1665 • Found Jul 31, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 15–29 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 75%100 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"–5'4"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP14585
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP14585 • Found Sep 30, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 72%113 mi away
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"–5'4"
Weight 100%117 lb vs 115–120 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Reading, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP990
Jane Doe — Reading, Pennsylvania
UP990 • Found Sep 25, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"–5'4"
Weight 86%140 lb vs 115–120 lb
Hair 50%Blond vs Brown

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.