More than 31 years ago the body of a young woman was found in Covert Township near I-196 and CR-378 in Van Buren County. On that date, investigators from the Michigan State Police went to the scene and began an investigation. Now, 31 years later they finally know who the woman was, but they continue to ask for public help in determining how she ended up there and why.
The case file began when the body was found on October 12, 1988. Over time the young unidentified woman became known to investigators as “I-196 Jane.” As the years went by, investigators used all available technology and investigative means to try to identify “I-196 Jane,” however, all were unsuccessful, and the case went cold.
Late last year in 2018, investigators began the process of utilizing genealogy DNA to help identify “I-196 Jane.”
In April of 2019, the Paw Paw Post detectives partnered with BODE Laboratories for the DNA processing and received a generous grant from Kalamazoo Mortgage to pay the processing fees.
In July 2019, BODE Laboratories provided the processing results to detectives. The Paw Paw Post then partnered with the DNA Doe Project; a non-profit research group that helps identify people from a large list of potential family members, which was developed through genealogy DNA.
In August 2019, the DNA Doe Project contacted Paw Paw Post detectives with investigative leads regarding the potential identity of “I-196 Jane.”
Paw Paw Post detectives then began the process of confirming the investigative leads furnished by the DNA Doe Project to identify “I-196 Jane.” Here in November of 2019, DNA confirmation was received that “I-196 Jane” was Marcia Kaylynn Bateman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Marcia’s family members have been contacted and are grateful to know that their loved one has been located. Her family is hopeful that investigators will determine how she ended up deceased in Michigan.
Marcia was last seen in May of 1988. Her family reported her missing in August of that year to the Oklahoma City Police. Marica was known to visit family and friends in the Dallas, Texas and Los Angeles, California areas and may have visited those cities prior to going missing. She was 28 years old at the time of her disappearance. At this point in the investigation, investigators have been unable to determine how she made it to Michigan from Oklahoma.
Michigan State Police are asking for the public’s help with the next phase of the investigation:
- If you knew Marcia Bateman; they ask that you contact the State Police
- If you were camping at the Covert Campground off CR-378 or the South Haven State Park/Campground during the summer of 1988, they ask that you take extra care in attempting to recall anything suspicious you may remember.
- If you were in the area of I-196 and CR-378 during the summer of 1988 and saw anything suspicious or vehicles stopped on the ramp, they ask that you contact the State Police
A phone number and email address have been established for tips on this investigation. You are asked to call 844-642-8384 or email to MSP-51TIPS@michigan.gov with any information you may have.
The State Police are offering up special thanks to the numerous people who helped identify Marcia Bateman, especially BODE Laboratories, DNA Doe Project, and Kalamazoo Mortgage.
The photo accompanying this story is purely for illustration purposes only, and does not depict an actual state police document.
