This brought tears to my eyes. This girl was doing everything right - a college student, working - it could have been any of us who were young at that time. Whoever killed her tried to erase her and erase her life. I'm glad they didn't succeed in erasing her forever.
I'm crying my heart out here.....in SA.... While watching the clip.......like I knew her.....but the perpetrator will be called to account.....not now......but on that GREAT DAY WHEN JESUS COMES.......so glad she's home and can rest in peace, and for the family to get closure. GOD BLESS the untiring and diligence of the team and everyone else to bring closure to the family
I'm just hoping she wasn't some type of prostitute or something on the side it doesn't matter I guess but when you do those type of works can you put yourself In Harm's Way cuz it doesn't sound cohesive what was she out at night or something
If the person who did this is still alive, I hope they are afraid. If they committed the crime as a 20 year old they could still be alive. Chances are they went to prison for another crime. The brother made me cry. These murderers take so much from these families
They could absolutely still be alive. The murderer could still be alive for another decade or two. I hope they can catch him (or her, but statistically, him).
When they passed away, they seen her again. Our spirits live on even after death. But I know what you meant, I too wish they could have seen her in physical form, while still on earth. I know they always wondered what happened to her & if she was safe etc 😢
I hope that just because you found her name doesn't mean you're going to give up ..like we have done enough..that's what it just sounded like. Please don't give up on this case. You don't have all the answers.
Might be hard it's is 50 years old case, you got to remember DNA wasn't really available toll 1980 and it was very redumentry. Only seeing blood types but it has been getting better and making great strides in the last 5 years.
@DonnellOkafor-pd7yn Another reason why any Tom, Dick or Harry shouldn't be able to get their hands on guns so readily. Don't understand why America insists on their "rights" to carrying guns when this kind of thing becomes so easy for the wrong person to do, or just someone having a bad day even - it's madness.
@@SB-mm9zh I can’t believe they can try to use, “I had a bad day, got angry, and blacked out” defense to get a drastic reduction in charges. We don’t like to learn from better examples either. Like how could we ever imagine to be like Australia when we have different populations. 330 million apparently find it impossible to live like 26 million. Not sure why numbers matter but many believe it’s bedlam to believe otherwise.
Sad that it took so long for this poor woman to be identified. Thanks to the cold case detectives who worked this case. Now they need to find the perpetrator.
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 Thanks to all the people involved, this is beautiful. So many people out there who want to provide justice and closure to these victims. So happy she wasn’t given up on. Beautiful work y’all 🥹
Thank you for not giving up on this young lady and the many missing men and women you are tasked with identifying and providing their families closure.
RIP Vickie. I hope the killer is found and pays for his actions. If not, he will be held accountable someday. Sorry to hear her parents weren’t able to know what happened to her.
What a heartbreaking start to life and end of her life for this beautiful, young woman! The best part of her story despite her beginning and end, is she had a loving family and parents and upbringing for 20 years! I hope the family puts that in to their thoughts and minds. Just sad!
Oh, thank you so much for bringing this to us! I’d never heard of her… How heartbreaking!!!!!! I’m so emotional right now for her, her deceased parents, her siblings and everyone who loved her. 💔🍀🙏
It doesn't mean they don't look. They can only spend so much time on each case and they didn't have all the resources 20 yrs ago they have now. It's not that they don't do their job, they can't solve everything in 30 minutes like they do on TV. If they have no leads or identity on a person how they magically find an assailant? This family praised the police dept. Did you even watch this?
@avan01 People really forget or aren't aware that DNA testing is relatively new it was discovered in 1980. This case is 50 years old. Also we don't have cameras or other stuff they had back then.
@@Noodlepunktypical people wanting to be angry over nothing and not seeing from both sides. Just be angry over something that was out of everyone's control. Wave a magic wand, and her identity is solved. Ridiculous.
Based upon your word choice of "this state," I'm assuming that like me, you live in this treacherous, paternalistic deeply RED state. Those who don't live here will NEVER understand, but you're spot on! WE either witness or directly experience the INTENTIONAL lack of protections and appropriate resources for women in this state daily. I'm certain that HERE, it was no different 48 years ago.
That’s awesome they were able to identify Vicki and give her back her name. I hope the family will be able to bury her with her parents. Now, find out who killed her. Rest in Peace, Vicki.
Watching from the east coast of Canada❤ Genetic genealogy is incredible. We will be able to return the names to so many unidentified people. What an amazing thing.
Its a living hell not knowing what happens to your loved one. I really know how this man feels. My prayers go out to him and his family. God bless the officers on this case.❤
This interview broke me especially when her brother spoke. Had me in tears She was a beautiful woman may she rest in peace . I hope her killer got their karma whoever they were.
She was reported missing by her family. They said so during the conference. The problem was the fact that it was in a completely different state from where she was reported missing and there were few clues in Cincinnati to point to what happened to her.
I’m glad you finally discovered her identity. She was so young. Her whole life ahead of her. I doubt her killer is still living but it’s possible I suppose. May she rest in peace 🥺
The Golden State Killer is still alive at 76 so it's possible. Him and the Grim Sleeper(deceased) were active in the 70s. The 70s just had so many serial killers.
She is a beautiful young woman! Her smile emits that of a peaceful soul. She seems have been doing everything right, makes you wonder if someone was obsessed with her, or just snatched her up.
It's sad that police in 70's probably assumed she just walked away from her life. It's not common for missing people to do that unless there were extreme circumstances. This case also emphasizes the importance of police to stay connected country wide.
She was just seven weeks older than me. When I think back to 1976 it really hits home how much how many years were taken from her. I hope they can find justice for her if still possible. RIP with your parents beautiful girl 😪
Such a shame I live in Cincinnati born & raised I wasn't even born yet till the 80s pretty scarry the person still on the loose may she rest in peace prayers to the family 🙏🏾🩷💐
Omg this is heartbreakening sad and joyous. This is remarkable I’m so sorry that Vicky loss her life I’m pretty sure for nothing! RIParadise Vicky you are very beautiful and to her parents. Prayers to this beautiful family and friends and to the law God bless them all. I pray that the killer has gotten justice in life or after death. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️😢😢😢😢😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
Now that Vickie has been identified (Praise the Lord) and laid to rest. I pray they can close the homocide case. I know it will be difficult..lived in Cincinnati found in Grundy County Illinois. Thats 5 hours away.
My deepest condolences and prayers to the Smith family, friends Illinois Police Dept. and others who were looking for her. May God be with them all 🙏 🙏 🙏 RIP Beautiful ❤❤
This may be a silly question, so plz be kind. If Vickie was adopted, how specifically was genealogy used? I know adoption paperwork can be legally very difficult to get a hold of. The officer said a couple times her family tree was challenging or difficult. I guess so.
@@AlmondJoie I must have misunderstood what they said at press conference. I thought the siblings that were at the presser were adopted siblings too. Thanks for the info. It’s all very fascinating how they are able to use genealogy for so many things. 😁
@@erickaepworth6257 I was adopted too! That’s why that stuck out to me. I just rewatched. Vickie’s siblings were not biological, all of the Smith kids were adopted. It sounds like the adoption files they had was a huge help as well. I’m just so impressed with all the resources & hard work put into finding her. So a situation that so tragic to have a nice outcome gives me hope. 😃
@@denagetz9894 When they say the family tree is difficult it's because there are no close relative matches in the public database. They may be able to establish a great grandparent based on the matches but then there will be so many possible lines she could be on. They were eventually able to find her birth mother. Also, law enforcement are not able to access the largest databases such as Ancestry. They only have access to two small databases so that greatly limits the possible matches.
The Bible says the blood of the innocent cried out and the Lord cursed the murderer - This isn't cain and able but I've always believed that its true for every innocent victim. So glad her family has SOME answers.
I wonder what things she may have accmplished if she werent killed. In college, ahead of her time. RIP miss. Ashamed it wasnt solved in time to hold the assailant accountable/ID the person
This brought tears to my eyes. This girl was doing everything right - a college student, working - it could have been any of us who were young at that time. Whoever killed her tried to erase her and erase her life. I'm glad they didn't succeed in erasing her forever.
Tears to my eyes also. Vicky may you rest peacefully 🕊.
Beautifully said ❤
Probably a guy she rejected or someone around her jealous
@@critterscute3642Yes my thoughts exactly ❤
Thank you for never giving up on identifying her. I am so glad she is home now. If only the person who did this was still alive and could be punished.
So very true.
Agree,
I'm crying my heart out here.....in SA.... While watching the clip.......like I knew her.....but the perpetrator will be called to account.....not now......but on that GREAT DAY WHEN JESUS COMES.......so glad she's home and can rest in peace, and for the family to get closure. GOD BLESS the untiring and diligence of the team and everyone else to bring closure to the family
@@willmaflintstone1496Yes!! Yes he will and that judgement & punishment is more harsher than what we would rendered on earth to him.
Vicki sounds like she was a remarkable young woman and it’s so sad that her family had missed her for so long. Rest in peace ❤🕊️
I'm just hoping she wasn't some type of prostitute or something on the side it doesn't matter I guess but when you do those type of works can you put yourself In Harm's Way cuz it doesn't sound cohesive what was she out at night or something
Thank u for not forgetting about this young woman because her life mattered. May she and her family rest in peace.
Im glad they found her and identified her and brought her home to Cincinnati/SC. May she rest in Paradise 🙏🏾🕯
So appreciative of these men and woman working on these cold cases and never giving up!!
Agreed!
YOU ARE MUCH APRECIATED.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🎉
If the person who did this is still alive, I hope they are afraid. If they committed the crime as a 20 year old they could still be alive. Chances are they went to prison for another crime. The brother made me cry. These murderers take so much from these families
They could absolutely still be alive. The murderer could still be alive for another decade or two. I hope they can catch him (or her, but statistically, him).
The sad part is, that a murder still occurred and probably never will be solved.
so true
@@SuperTruthful Agreed!!!
This is sad but a relief at the same time RIP BEAUTIFUL 😇🕯️🙏🏾
Amen 😢
I wish mom and dad could of had this closure.
🙏🏿
When they passed away, they seen her again. Our spirits live on even after death. But I know what you meant, I too wish they could have seen her in physical form, while still on earth. I know they always wondered what happened to her & if she was safe etc 😢
@@Kayla_Giirrl🙄
@@Kayla_Giirrl The dead don't know anything. Eccl. 9:5, 6. She's resting in the grave until the resurrection. John 5:28, 29. RIP💔
*could've
I hope that just because you found her name doesn't mean you're going to give up ..like we have done enough..that's what it just sounded like. Please don't give up on this case. You don't have all the answers.
Might be hard it's is 50 years old case, you got to remember DNA wasn't really available toll 1980 and it was very redumentry. Only seeing blood types but it has been getting better and making great strides in the last 5 years.
Except the person that killed her is most likely dead… unless the killer was like 15 years old they’re most likely 75-100 years old at the least.
@@rationallyrubyif the killer was her age they would be in their late 60’s. She was born in 1956
True but sadly, most likely the killer is already dead 😢
if they are the victims age they would be 68 years old
RIP you mattered
So sweet ❤️
😢
Yes Lord ❤
My deep gratitude to everyone involved in helping this poor young lady reclaim her identity 🙏
What a well-spoken man her brother is! Pleased that they finaally have some closure...
What kind of animal can put a gun to a human beings head and shoot???? RIP young lady.
You'd be surprised.
Plenty! Look at gun death statistics.
Agreed!, way to many of them out there
@DonnellOkafor-pd7yn Another reason why any Tom, Dick or Harry shouldn't be able to get their hands on guns so readily. Don't understand why America insists on their "rights" to carrying guns when this kind of thing becomes so easy for the wrong person to do, or just someone having a bad day even - it's madness.
@@SB-mm9zh I can’t believe they can try to use, “I had a bad day, got angry, and blacked out” defense to get a drastic reduction in charges. We don’t like to learn from better examples either. Like how could we ever imagine to be like Australia when we have different populations. 330 million apparently find it impossible to live like 26 million. Not sure why numbers matter but many believe it’s bedlam to believe otherwise.
Sad that it took so long for this poor woman to be identified. Thanks to the cold case detectives who worked this case. Now they need to find the perpetrator.
Such a beautiful young lady now you are home and rest easy, prayers for the family.🙏
Excellent job Grundy County and Illinois. No matter how long it takes, identification is so very important ❤
SALUTE!❤
Detectives are artists, in a way, cause they have to put together pieces of information to solve a case
I jave a niece that been missing 33 years ago and was never found until this day nothing 😢🙏🙏🙏
Sorry to hear that. Have your family ever tried looking up? Jane doe's in different states. Don't give up God bless.
Stay strong&never give up! 🙏
@@videos7501 ty sweet heart ❤️
So sorry to hear that 🙏🏾
Can you tell us her name? Is she in the Doe Project?
She was only 20. She no doubt had all sorts of dreams about the future she wanted, only to have her life cut so cruelly short.
I’m touched beyond words, now rest in peace my dear
I hope Joann and her parents can rest a little easier in heaven. I hope they find out what happened and who may have killed her.
It was absolutely disgusting how the first reporter asked why would the police stay with this case.
Disgusting
Incredibly ignorant and rude to ask that question, especially in front of her family who were present at that conference.
EXACTLY...Just awful
Please, folks, she was a black woman that how they feel about Black people 😢
@idontdohumans5950 That's untrue.
Thank you for finding her identity ❤
,this poor lady , Justice for her
Justice of course will ultimately co.e when her murderer reaps his reward for his dastardly deed
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 Thanks to all the people involved, this is beautiful. So many people out there who want to provide justice and closure to these victims. So happy she wasn’t given up on. Beautiful work y’all 🥹
Her brother is so soft spoken ❤
Now that she have her name back they might just find her killer..old friends may remember things
RIGHT!!!
Thank you for not giving up on this young lady and the many missing men and women you are tasked with identifying and providing their families closure.
RIP Vickie. I hope the killer is found and pays for his actions. If not, he will be held accountable someday. Sorry to hear her parents weren’t able to know what happened to her.
What a heartbreaking start to life and end of her life for this beautiful, young woman! The best part of her story despite her beginning and end, is she had a loving family and parents and upbringing for 20 years! I hope the family puts that in to their thoughts and minds. Just sad!
Thank you for caring for caring a
her when no one knew who she even was… God bless you and her family ❤️❤️🙏🏿🙏🏿❤️❤️
Oh, thank you so much for bringing this to us!
I’d never heard of her…
How heartbreaking!!!!!!
I’m so emotional right now for her, her deceased parents, her siblings and everyone who loved her.
💔🍀🙏
garbage bag on the head? It's more than likely that the killer knew her.
Brother is well spoken. Say a prayer for all of them tonight.
I'm so glad that we now have the technology that makes it possible to give the unidentified deceased their names back. RIP, Vicky.
AMEN!!!!!!!
I wish someone would be found, who caused this horrific event. It is completely amazing they found out who she was and where she belongs. R.I.P Viki!
So many truckers are serial killers but of course it could have been an angry boy.
Angry. No one looked for her assailant. Just 20 years old. Angry at ohio's lack of care for what happens to any women in this state.
It doesn't mean they don't look. They can only spend so much time on each case and they didn't have all the resources 20 yrs ago they have now. It's not that they don't do their job, they can't solve everything in 30 minutes like they do on TV. If they have no leads or identity on a person how they magically find an assailant? This family praised the police dept. Did you even watch this?
What? It was 50 years ago, they didn't even have DNA testing back then. Wasn't discovered till 1980 and it was very redumentry.
@avan01 People really forget or aren't aware that DNA testing is relatively new it was discovered in 1980. This case is 50 years old. Also we don't have cameras or other stuff they had back then.
@@Noodlepunktypical people wanting to be angry over nothing and not seeing from both sides. Just be angry over something that was out of everyone's control. Wave a magic wand, and her identity is solved. Ridiculous.
Based upon your word choice of "this state," I'm assuming that like me, you live in this treacherous, paternalistic deeply RED state. Those who don't live here will NEVER understand, but you're spot on! WE either witness or directly experience the INTENTIONAL lack of protections and appropriate resources for women in this state daily. I'm certain that HERE, it was no different 48 years ago.
That’s awesome they were able to identify Vicki and give her back her name. I hope the family will be able to bury her with her parents. Now, find out who killed her. Rest in Peace, Vicki.
Watching from the east coast of Canada❤ Genetic genealogy is incredible. We will be able to return the names to so many unidentified people. What an amazing thing.
Yes it is
I’m go glad she got her name back she was beautiful RIP to you Vicky
THE WORK YOU GUYS DO IS SECOND TO NONE.
WELL DONE!
NOW SHE CAN FINALLY REST IN PEACE. 🙏🏻
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
Its a living hell not knowing what happens to your loved one. I really know how this man feels. My prayers go out to him and his family.
God bless the officers on this case.❤
Thank you to these officers.🙏🏽 How beautiful that her family can get closure.🙏🏽 R.I.P Joanne Vicky Smith.🕊️❤️
This interview broke me especially when her brother spoke. Had me in tears She was a beautiful woman may she rest in peace . I hope her killer got their karma whoever they were.
Her parents were overjoyed to see her again in heaven. I’m so glad Vickie will rest in peace with her family.
Rest in Heaven 🪽
You deserved better from this world…
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rest in peace angel. 🪽🩷🌹✨ My condolences to her family.
So sad😢 I hope her killer never slept or live well after this. Rest easy Vicky. 🙏 😇
So there was no DNA from the killer on her clothing or hands?
She was nude..
She was found nude.
Super job on your hard work and a big thank you especially for caring and not giving up!
That Jane Doe drawing did her no justice at all. I doubt ANYONE would’ve thought it was her
Rest In Peace Joann vickey. Gone but not forgotten. Blessings Be
Beautiful. Thank God you all found her identity, and now she can be reunited with her family.
Thank you for sharing. ❤😢 Vicky is such a beautiful young woman. The family can stop their search.
Im glad they never gave up on her. Now the family knows where she is abd its sad they didnt have her through the years
If only they could find out who killed her.
Nobody was looking for their family member ??? Thats crazy
Almost hard to believe her family never reported her missing nor looked into at least one member getting DNA tested.
She was reported missing by her family. They said so during the conference. The problem was the fact that it was in a completely different state from where she was reported missing and there were few clues in Cincinnati to point to what happened to her.
@lovely_star1917 Did you even listen
@@higher_pwr8178 With her being adopted, Her DNA was different from her families DNA.
@@higher_pwr8178She was adopted so no DNA with family who reported her. Also an adult at the time may have been blown off by LE 😢
I’m glad you finally discovered her identity. She was so young. Her whole life ahead of her. I doubt her killer is still living but it’s possible I suppose. May she rest in peace 🥺
The Golden State Killer is still alive at 76 so it's possible. Him and the Grim Sleeper(deceased) were active in the 70s. The 70s just had so many serial killers.
Heartbreaking, thankful she was identified. Hopefully, they can find her killer(s).
I entered high school in 1976. I got to live my life. JoAnn didn't
Thank you all for all your hard work in finding this young lady true identity and never giving up on her.
She is a beautiful young woman! Her smile emits that of a peaceful soul. She seems have been doing everything right, makes you wonder if someone was obsessed with her, or just snatched her up.
She was a very intelligent, beautiful young lady!! RIP Sweetheart 🙏 ❤
It's sad that police in 70's probably assumed she just walked away from her life. It's not common for missing people to do that unless there were extreme circumstances. This case also emphasizes the importance of police to stay connected country wide.
I touched by his emotions. She was a person💔
When they took her dna did they do dna of her fingernails? Could come up with a killer
That’s a good question. They may or may not have taken samples. It would be interesting to know.
I know that in L. A., CA in the late 70's they would clip the nails to trace for blood type.
They'd save it along with clothing.
Back then some places would throw evidence out.
This happened in the 1970's. That technology wasn't available then
Rest well Vicky. So sorry this happened to you 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💐💐💐💐
She was just seven weeks older than me. When I think back to 1976 it really hits home how much how many years were taken from her. I hope they can find justice for her if still possible. RIP with your parents beautiful girl 😪
I thank you for solving her case and returning her name.
It has been a long road to give his young lady her Name Back. and answers for her family. May She now Rest In Peace 😢🙏💐🙏
Thank God for everyone involved with this case you guys have really been a blessing to the family she can finally be put to rest with her siblings 🙏🙏🙏
As a Bible-believing individual, l'm just thankful there will be no cold cases in the JUDGMENT DAY.
AMEN 🙏🏽
AMEN 🙏🏽
Yes Lord ❤
It's so good to hear a heart felt story RIP VICKI
Thank you for never giving up.
She was beautiful! May she rest peacefully 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️
RIP! Thankfully she received her name back and her family never forgot her!
God bless your family, as you lay Vickie to rest. Condolences to all of you, and Prayers.🙏🧡🙏🧡🙏
this case hurts me so bad:(
Thank God she has her name and closure!
❤❤
Such a shame I live in Cincinnati born & raised I wasn't even born yet till the 80s pretty scarry the person still on the loose may she rest in peace prayers to the family 🙏🏾🩷💐
Finally, the family can rest, from all their years of just not knowing. RIH
Omgggg I’m so sorry Joanne 😢
Thank you! You could’ve just left her a cold case but you didn’t. I know the families were thankful. Bless all of you.🥰🙏
Omg this is heartbreakening sad and joyous. This is remarkable I’m so sorry that Vicky loss her life I’m pretty sure for nothing!
RIParadise Vicky you are very beautiful and to her parents. Prayers to this beautiful family and friends and to the law God bless them all. I pray that the killer has gotten justice in life or after death.
🌹🌹🌹🌹🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️😢😢😢😢😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
Now that Vickie has been identified (Praise the Lord) and laid to rest. I pray they can close the homocide case. I know it will be difficult..lived in Cincinnati found in Grundy County Illinois. Thats 5 hours away.
Amazing hard work so happy for her Family to have some form of closer I can't imagine the heartache of Not knowing ❤
Thank you for not giving up on her.
My deepest condolences and prayers to the Smith family, friends Illinois Police Dept. and others who were looking for her. May God be with them all 🙏 🙏 🙏 RIP Beautiful ❤❤
This may be a silly question, so plz be kind. If Vickie was adopted, how specifically was genealogy used? I know adoption paperwork can be legally very difficult to get a hold of. The officer said a couple times her family tree was challenging or difficult. I guess so.
Vickie's DNA was compared to genealogy databases to help locate one of her living relatives, which is probably how her siblings were found.
@@AlmondJoie I must have misunderstood what they said at press conference. I thought the siblings that were at the presser were adopted siblings too.
Thanks for the info. It’s all very fascinating how they are able to use genealogy for so many things. 😁
As an adoptee, I would like to have heard this information too. Her biological family probably didn't know she existed.
@@erickaepworth6257 I was adopted too! That’s why that stuck out to me. I just rewatched. Vickie’s siblings were not biological, all of the Smith kids were adopted. It sounds like the adoption files they had was a huge help as well. I’m just so impressed with all the resources & hard work put into finding her. So a situation that so tragic to have a nice outcome gives me hope. 😃
@@denagetz9894
When they say the family tree is difficult it's because there are no close relative matches in the public database. They may be able to establish a great grandparent based on the matches but then there will be so many possible lines she could be on. They were eventually able to find her birth mother.
Also, law enforcement are not able to access the largest databases such as Ancestry. They only have access to two small databases so that greatly limits the possible matches.
The Bible says the blood of the innocent cried out and the Lord cursed the murderer - This isn't cain and able but I've always believed that its true for every innocent victim. So glad her family has SOME answers.
Great detective work
There are so many unsolved crimes committed by evil wicked individuals and some are still walking this earth.
My condolences to her family. Who ever did this have be in there 60s or 70s or possibly deceased.. Thank you Officers on a job well done ..
I’m praying for her and her family waiting for 50 years to find her .
See how God made us so different from each other so we could be identified. Made us all so individual. God did that for a purpose.❤
What a beautiful lady 😢
He should get detective of the year ❤️🙏✝️
I agree.Peace
I wonder what things she may have accmplished if she werent killed. In college, ahead of her time. RIP miss. Ashamed it wasnt solved in time to hold the assailant accountable/ID the person
That is so lovely. God Bless You All for doing this.❤🙏🏼😇❤️