The Unsolved Mystery of Jeanette DePalma: Why Her Death Should Be Reopened
In 1972, the lifeless body of 16-year-old Jeanette DePalma was discovered on a cliff in Springfield, New Jersey known as the Devil's Teeth. Found after a local dog returned home with a decomposed forearm, her death has remained one of the most chilling mysteries of Union County. Declared a "suspicious death," the case has sparked widespread speculation of cult rituals, satanic panic, and foul play. Yet, despite decades of whispers and mounting evidence suggesting homicide, Jeanette’s death remains unsolved. It’s time to revisit her case with the tools of modern forensic science and the urgency that justice demands.
The Grim Discovery
Jeanette DePalma’s body was found on September 19, 1972, in a wooded area––the
site itself ominous and surrounded by rumors of occult activity. Initial reports described the scene as eerie, with alleged arrangements of sticks and stones forming crosses near her remains. While authorities were quick to downplay these claims, the lack of a definitive cause of death—coupled with the macabre setting—fueled suspicions of foul play.
Jeanette, a devout Christian and aspiring missionary, had been missing for six weeks before her remains were discovered. Her body was so badly decomposed that determining the exact cause of death was impossible at the time. Officially, her death was labeled "suspicious," but no arrests were made, and the case quietly faded into obscurity.
A Case Marred by Controversy
From the outset, the investigation into Jeanette’s death was plagued by missteps and controversy. Key evidence went missing, and witness statements were either ignored or dismissed. Rumors of local satanic rituals and cult activity led to sensationalized headlines but little actionable progress. Neighbors spoke of strange occurrences in the woods, yet law enforcement’s response was tepid at best.
Adding to the intrigue, several critical pieces of evidence, including clothing and potential DNA samples, were either lost or mishandled. Union County law enforcement, possibly influenced by the societal panic surrounding the occult at the time, failed to thoroughly explore other potential avenues, including suspects in Jeanette’s immediate circle.
The Case for Reopening Jeanette’s Case
Today, advancements in forensic technology provide a renewed opportunity to seek justice for Jeanette. The following steps could bring long-overdue answers:
DNA Testing: Trace evidence, such as hair, skin cells, or fibers, could still hold crucial clues. Techniques like touch DNA and mitochondrial DNA analysis can extract genetic material from even the most degraded samples.
Reexamination of Evidence: Any remaining physical evidence—including Jeanette’s clothing—should be reexamined using modern forensic tools.
Witness Interviews: A fresh investigation could involve re-interviewing witnesses or individuals who were in Jeanette’s social circle at the time of her death. Memories may fade, but revisiting old testimonies with new perspectives can yield breakthroughs.
Leveraging Public Interest: Documentaries, podcasts, and social media have breathed new life into this cold case. The magazine, Weird New Jersey has delved deep into the mystery and mishandling of the case, and the Justice for Jeanette website has put together evidence and a petition on change.org for the case to be reclassified as a homicide in order for the state to reopen the investigation.
Call to Action
As true crime enthusiasts and advocates for justice, we must lend our voices to Jeanette’s story. Go to Justice for Jeannette. https://justiceforjeannette.com/ OR https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-jeannette-depalma-change-her-death-from-a-suspicious-death-to-a-homicide to sign the petition for Jeanette's case to be reopened.
Jeanette DePalma’s death was no accident. The truth is waiting to be uncovered, and with it, the opportunity to finally bring justice to a young woman whose voice was silenced too soon.
Sources and photos used for this podcast and Youtube:
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DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
All information contained in this video presentation is provided for entertainment purposes only. The authors leave any and all conclusions to individual members of the audience. The author offers no statements of fact beyond those available through diligent private research or through information freely available in the public record. To the extent that pending or settled criminal matters or crime or possible crimes, are discussed in this video presentation. All parties or defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. To the extent that any pending or settle civil matters are discussed in this video presentation, all parties or defendants are presumed not liable unless proven liable in a court of law. Copyright for material incorporated and presented under Fair Use is retained by the original author or copyright holder where applicable. Our cases are researched using open source and archive materials, and the subjects are real crimes and people. We strive to produce each episode with respect to the victims, their families and loved ones. At Hitched 2 Homicide we are committed to always discussing how victims lived, and not just how they died. All podcast information is gleaned from sources given. All opinions in the podcast are solely of Hitched 2 Homicide and are for entertainment purposes only.
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