Murder Of Dawn Olanick
Unsolved Homicide Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Blairstown Township, New Jersey
TIME PERIOD
July 1982
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On July 15, 1982, the body of Dawn Rita Olanick, a 17-year-old female, was discovered by gravedigger George Kise in Cedar Ridge Cemetery, Blairstown Township, New Jersey, lying on her back with severe facial injuries indicative of homicide. Olanick, who was born on August 5, 1964, was initially unidentified and became known as "Princess Doe" until her identification was confirmed on the 40th anniversary of her discovery in 2022. In January 1983, she was buried in the same cemetery where she was found, and her remains were exhumed in 1999 for DNA testing. As of now, Arthur Kinlaw has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Olanick's death, marking a significant development in a case that remained unsolved for decades. Key evidence includes a golden cross necklace found in her hair and the condition of her remains, which complicated the investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Arthur Kinlaw is believed to have been involved in the murder of Dawn Olanick, as he has been charged with first-degree murder in her case. Some community members speculate that the brutal nature of her death suggests a personal connection between Olanick and her killer. Additionally, there are theories regarding potential other victims linked to Kinlaw, raising concerns about a possible pattern in his criminal behavior.
The Tragic Tale of Dawn Olanick: Unraveling the Mystery of "Princess Doe"
The Discovery
In the sleepy town of Blairstown Township, New Jersey, on a sweltering day in July 1982, the tranquility of Cedar Ridge Cemetery was shattered by a grim discovery. George Kise, the gravedigger, stumbled upon a haunting sight—a young woman's lifeless body lay over a steep bank, close to a creek. Her face, unrecognizable, had been bludgeoned with a force that spoke of unspeakable violence. She became known as "Princess Doe," the first unidentified decedent to be entered into the National Crime Information Center.
Clad in a red shirt and peasant skirt, her body bore no undergarments, yet no definitive evidence of sexual assault was found due to the state of decomposition. The scorching summer heat had left the body exposed for days, or perhaps weeks, complicating efforts to discern details such as eye color. A tangled golden cross necklace and two earrings in her left ear hinted at a life now silenced. Her fingernails, painted with red polish on the right hand, added a poignant touch of normalcy to the tragedy.
Forensic analysis suggested she was between 14 and 18 years old, standing approximately 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 4 inches tall. Despite the lack of surgical scars, birthmarks, or tattoos, her front teeth were slightly discolored. She had not been pregnant nor given birth. Toxicology reports found no drugs, yet the elapsed time between death and discovery rendered these results inconclusive. Her hands bore signs of a desperate struggle, hinting at a brave fight against her attacker.
Unraveling the Investigation
The Diane Genice Dye Connection
For years, whispers suggested that Princess Doe might be Diane Genice Dye, a missing teenager from San Jose, California, who vanished on July 30, 1979. This theory gained traction among New Jersey law enforcement, prompting a press conference prematurely linking Dye to Princess Doe. Lt. Eric Kranz, the lead investigator, disagreed, a sentiment shared by Dye's family and California authorities. In 2003, DNA testing conclusively disproved this connection, further deepening the mystery.
The Kinlaw Connection
In 1999, the investigation took a chilling turn when evidence implicated Arthur and Donna Kinlaw. Donna, arrested in California for welfare fraud, recounted a murder witnessed in a cemetery, implicating her husband Arthur in multiple homicides. Her account described Arthur’s return home in July 1982 with a teenage girl, only to leave and return without her. His subsequent actions—disposing of clothes and threatening Donna—painted a dark picture. Despite Arthur's confession, the absence of physical evidence made it impossible to charge him at the time.
Lt. Stephen Speirs, who worked on the case, expressed skepticism about the Kinlaws' credibility, noting their failure to provide Princess Doe's real name. Despite this, Speirs believed the victim hailed from Long Island, New York. Donna’s interview with a forensic artist produced a sketch resembling the latest composite of Princess Doe. Arthur Kinlaw, incarcerated for two other murders, remained a suspect, but it wasn't until 2022 that he was charged with Dawn Olanick's murder following her identification.
Later Developments
Witness Annemarie Latimer recalled a girl in similar clothing buying cigarettes just two days before the body was found. Her vivid memory of the outfit led investigators to trace the clothing to a Midwestern manufacturer, though the store's exact location remained a mystery. The 2012 composite drawing further fueled new leads, resembling other missing girls across the country.
DNA advancements and forensic genealogy played crucial roles. In 2021, degraded samples from the body were analyzed, and by February 2022, a viable DNA profile was created. Investigators traced Princess Doe to West Babylon, New York, meeting her brother Robert Olanick Jr., and confirming her identity through her sister's DNA. On July 15, 2022, exactly 40 years after her discovery, Princess Doe was finally named: Dawn Rita Olanick.
Media and Memorials
The case garnered national attention, featuring on HBO's documentary "MISSING," capturing the grim reality of the investigation. Lt. Kranz, who coined "Princess Doe," ensured the case received widespread media exposure, pushing for national recognition of unidentified victims in the NCIC database. The case inspired episodes on "America's Most Wanted" and CNN, keeping Dawn's story alive in public consciousness.
Over the years, memorials honored Dawn Olanick. Her January 1983 burial, funded by donations, bore a poignant epitaph: "Princess Doe. Missing from home. Dead among strangers. Remembered by all." Anniversaries of her discovery saw gatherings and reflections on her life and untimely death.
Identification and Conclusion
In 2022, Dawn Olanick's tragic story reached a pivotal moment. Investigators pieced together her final days, revealing she had left her Long Island home in June 1982, never to return. Arthur Kinlaw, charged with her murder, allegedly killed Dawn after she refused his demands to enter prostitution. They traveled to Blairstown, where her life was brutally ended.
As Arthur Kinlaw remains behind bars, the mystery of Dawn Olanick, once "Princess Doe," reminds us of the resilience of justice, the dedication of investigators, and the power of modern forensics to unearth the truth.
Sources
For more details, visit the Wikipedia page on the murder of Dawn Olanick.
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Body Discovered
Dawn Olanick's body is found in Cedar Ridge Cemetery, New Jersey.
Burial of Victim
Dawn Olanick is buried in Cedar Ridge Cemetery after remaining unidentified for months.
Body Exhumed for DNA
Olanick's remains are exhumed for DNA testing to aid in identification.
DNA Comparison
DNA from Princess Doe is compared to a missing person's case, confirming she is not Diane Genice Dye.
Re-exhumation for DNA
Olanick's body is re-exhumed for further DNA extraction for genetic genealogy.
Identification Confirmed
Investigators confirm the identity of Princess Doe as Dawn Olanick through DNA analysis.
Public Identification
Dawn Olanick is publicly identified on the 40th anniversary of her discovery.
Murder Charge Filed
Arthur Kinlaw is charged with the first-degree murder of Dawn Olanick.
On July 15, 1982, the body of Dawn Rita Olanick, a 17-year-old female, was discovered by gravedigger George Kise in Cedar Ridge Cemetery, Blairstown Township, New Jersey, lying on her back with severe facial injuries indicative of homicide. Olanick, who was born on August 5, 1964, was initially unidentified and became known as "Princess Doe" until her identification was confirmed on the 40th anniversary of her discovery in 2022. In January 1983, she was buried in the same cemetery where she was found, and her remains were exhumed in 1999 for DNA testing. As of now, Arthur Kinlaw has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Olanick's death, marking a significant development in a case that remained unsolved for decades. Key evidence includes a golden cross necklace found in her hair and the condition of her remains, which complicated the investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Arthur Kinlaw is believed to have been involved in the murder of Dawn Olanick, as he has been charged with first-degree murder in her case. Some community members speculate that the brutal nature of her death suggests a personal connection between Olanick and her killer. Additionally, there are theories regarding potential other victims linked to Kinlaw, raising concerns about a possible pattern in his criminal behavior.
The Tragic Tale of Dawn Olanick: Unraveling the Mystery of "Princess Doe"
The Discovery
In the sleepy town of Blairstown Township, New Jersey, on a sweltering day in July 1982, the tranquility of Cedar Ridge Cemetery was shattered by a grim discovery. George Kise, the gravedigger, stumbled upon a haunting sight—a young woman's lifeless body lay over a steep bank, close to a creek. Her face, unrecognizable, had been bludgeoned with a force that spoke of unspeakable violence. She became known as "Princess Doe," the first unidentified decedent to be entered into the National Crime Information Center.
Clad in a red shirt and peasant skirt, her body bore no undergarments, yet no definitive evidence of sexual assault was found due to the state of decomposition. The scorching summer heat had left the body exposed for days, or perhaps weeks, complicating efforts to discern details such as eye color. A tangled golden cross necklace and two earrings in her left ear hinted at a life now silenced. Her fingernails, painted with red polish on the right hand, added a poignant touch of normalcy to the tragedy.
Forensic analysis suggested she was between 14 and 18 years old, standing approximately 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 4 inches tall. Despite the lack of surgical scars, birthmarks, or tattoos, her front teeth were slightly discolored. She had not been pregnant nor given birth. Toxicology reports found no drugs, yet the elapsed time between death and discovery rendered these results inconclusive. Her hands bore signs of a desperate struggle, hinting at a brave fight against her attacker.
Unraveling the Investigation
The Diane Genice Dye Connection
For years, whispers suggested that Princess Doe might be Diane Genice Dye, a missing teenager from San Jose, California, who vanished on July 30, 1979. This theory gained traction among New Jersey law enforcement, prompting a press conference prematurely linking Dye to Princess Doe. Lt. Eric Kranz, the lead investigator, disagreed, a sentiment shared by Dye's family and California authorities. In 2003, DNA testing conclusively disproved this connection, further deepening the mystery.
The Kinlaw Connection
In 1999, the investigation took a chilling turn when evidence implicated Arthur and Donna Kinlaw. Donna, arrested in California for welfare fraud, recounted a murder witnessed in a cemetery, implicating her husband Arthur in multiple homicides. Her account described Arthur’s return home in July 1982 with a teenage girl, only to leave and return without her. His subsequent actions—disposing of clothes and threatening Donna—painted a dark picture. Despite Arthur's confession, the absence of physical evidence made it impossible to charge him at the time.
Lt. Stephen Speirs, who worked on the case, expressed skepticism about the Kinlaws' credibility, noting their failure to provide Princess Doe's real name. Despite this, Speirs believed the victim hailed from Long Island, New York. Donna’s interview with a forensic artist produced a sketch resembling the latest composite of Princess Doe. Arthur Kinlaw, incarcerated for two other murders, remained a suspect, but it wasn't until 2022 that he was charged with Dawn Olanick's murder following her identification.
Later Developments
Witness Annemarie Latimer recalled a girl in similar clothing buying cigarettes just two days before the body was found. Her vivid memory of the outfit led investigators to trace the clothing to a Midwestern manufacturer, though the store's exact location remained a mystery. The 2012 composite drawing further fueled new leads, resembling other missing girls across the country.
DNA advancements and forensic genealogy played crucial roles. In 2021, degraded samples from the body were analyzed, and by February 2022, a viable DNA profile was created. Investigators traced Princess Doe to West Babylon, New York, meeting her brother Robert Olanick Jr., and confirming her identity through her sister's DNA. On July 15, 2022, exactly 40 years after her discovery, Princess Doe was finally named: Dawn Rita Olanick.
Media and Memorials
The case garnered national attention, featuring on HBO's documentary "MISSING," capturing the grim reality of the investigation. Lt. Kranz, who coined "Princess Doe," ensured the case received widespread media exposure, pushing for national recognition of unidentified victims in the NCIC database. The case inspired episodes on "America's Most Wanted" and CNN, keeping Dawn's story alive in public consciousness.
Over the years, memorials honored Dawn Olanick. Her January 1983 burial, funded by donations, bore a poignant epitaph: "Princess Doe. Missing from home. Dead among strangers. Remembered by all." Anniversaries of her discovery saw gatherings and reflections on her life and untimely death.
Identification and Conclusion
In 2022, Dawn Olanick's tragic story reached a pivotal moment. Investigators pieced together her final days, revealing she had left her Long Island home in June 1982, never to return. Arthur Kinlaw, charged with her murder, allegedly killed Dawn after she refused his demands to enter prostitution. They traveled to Blairstown, where her life was brutally ended.
As Arthur Kinlaw remains behind bars, the mystery of Dawn Olanick, once "Princess Doe," reminds us of the resilience of justice, the dedication of investigators, and the power of modern forensics to unearth the truth.
Sources
For more details, visit the Wikipedia page on the murder of Dawn Olanick.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Body Discovered
Dawn Olanick's body is found in Cedar Ridge Cemetery, New Jersey.
Burial of Victim
Dawn Olanick is buried in Cedar Ridge Cemetery after remaining unidentified for months.
Body Exhumed for DNA
Olanick's remains are exhumed for DNA testing to aid in identification.
DNA Comparison
DNA from Princess Doe is compared to a missing person's case, confirming she is not Diane Genice Dye.
Re-exhumation for DNA
Olanick's body is re-exhumed for further DNA extraction for genetic genealogy.
Identification Confirmed
Investigators confirm the identity of Princess Doe as Dawn Olanick through DNA analysis.
Public Identification
Dawn Olanick is publicly identified on the 40th anniversary of her discovery.
Murder Charge Filed
Arthur Kinlaw is charged with the first-degree murder of Dawn Olanick.