In June 1977, as dusk settled over Townsend, Delaware, a teenager biking through the area stumbled upon a woman’s lifeless body in a drainage ditch. Lacking any form of identification, the police struggled to determine her identity. Despite examining dental records, they found no leads, and the woman’s profile — standing at 5 feet 3 inches tall, with dark blonde hair, and estimated to be between 40 and 55 years old — did not correspond with any missing persons reports. The authorities were certain of one thing: the woman had been murdered. However, the case quickly grew cold due to the lack of information.
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, a young boy returned home from boarding school to discover that his mother was missing. When he inquired about her whereabouts, his father, a former police officer, claimed she had simply left. However, the boy noticed that his mother had abandoned some of her belongings, raising suspicions.
Years Later, DNA Evidence Resurrects the Case
In 2008, DNA from the unidentified woman was entered into CODIS, the national DNA database, but it yielded no results. However, in February 2017, New Castle County detectives discovered Parabon Nanolabs, a Virginia company specializing in DNA phenotyping, which can predict physical traits and ancestry. The woman’s DNA was submitted, leading to the creation of a sketch and digital image, as well as searches in ancestry databases.
In 2019, Officer Alex Carter, experienced in cold cases, joined the investigation. He meticulously examined potential family trees and pursued leads to gather DNA samples from relatives. Those samples were also uploaded to CODIS, ultimately resulting in a match. After over four decades, authorities confirmed that the body belonged to Marie Heiser, the mother of the boy who had returned home to find her gone. She was 50 when she was murdered.
Why Would a Police Officer’s Spouse Go Unreported?
The decision of William Heiser, Sr., a former member of the Philadelphia Police Department, not to report his wife’s disappearance raises eyebrows. Even if Marie left voluntarily, the absence of a note or any communication with her children is troubling. Additionally, in December 1977, William sold their family home and relocated to South Daytona Beach, Florida, an unusual move for a man who might be expecting his wife’s return.
William Heiser, Sr. passed away in 2006, leaving many questions unanswered. “We’re exploring every aspect of the case,” stated Officer Michel Eckerd of the New Castle County Police Department, but William’s children stand by their father. His son, now 68, insists that his father would never harm anyone, describing him as a caring family man.
Could Marie Heiser Have Abandoned Her Children?
Marie Heiser was a devoted homemaker who also worked part-time at a local country club and was actively engaged in her community. Her son reminisced about their joyful outings to the Jersey Shore, portraying her as a loving mother. With such a strong community connection, it’s perplexing why she would leave without a word, and why her husband never reported her missing.
The pain of their mother’s disappearance lingered for her children, who often questioned their father about her absence. “I haven’t heard; I don’t know where she’s at,” was the response they received, leaving them with no cause to doubt him.
Domestic Violence Concerns in Law Enforcement Families
While the truth surrounding William Heiser, Sr.’s potential involvement in his wife’s disappearance remains elusive, it’s worth noting the alarming statistics regarding domestic violence in families linked to law enforcement. Research indicates that domestic violence rates in these households can be as high as 40%, significantly above the national average. Victims often face unique challenges, including fears of retaliation and a lack of trust in the policing system, as officers may be friends or colleagues of the abuser.
As for Marie Heiser, authorities have yet to name any person of interest in her murder, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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Summary
The body of a woman found in a drainage ditch in 1977 has been identified as Marie Heiser, the wife of a former police officer who did not report her missing. This case raises questions about domestic violence and the potential cover-up surrounding her disappearance. The investigation is ongoing, with no suspects named yet.