Latest news with #PamelaLeighWalton
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Body in decades-old Florida cold case ID'd as transgender woman
The Brief On September 25, 1988, an unidentified body found in a rural, heavily wooded area near Clermont, became known as "Julie Doe." The case was evaluated by the DNA Doe Project, where genealogists identified "Julie Doe" as Pamela Leigh Walton, a transgender woman. The manner of death is still undetermined. ORLANDO, Fla. - The Lake County Sheriff's Office said its detectives have made a breakthrough in a cold case dating back nearly four decades. A body found in a wooded area near Clermont in 1988, referred to as "Julie Doe," has been identified as a transgender woman. The backstory On September 25, 1988, a body was found in a heavily wooded area about 30 feet off the side of County Road 474 in Clermont. Officials said the person had been dead anywhere from two to four weeks. She was wearing a skirt and had breast implants and was referred to as "Julie Doe." In 2015, DNA testing revealed that the deceased was born a biological male. There is also evidence that she may have been taking female hormone injections. What we know After several years, genealogists identified possible relatives of Julie Doe, who were soon contacted by the Lake County Sheriff's Office. The relatives submitted their DNA for comparison, which led to Julie Doe being identified as Pamela Leigh Walton. Detectives say Pamela was born a biological male in Kentucky and was put up for adoption. Once adopted, his name was Lee Allen Walton, and at some point in his life, he changed his name to Pamela Leigh Walton. What we don't know It is unknown how Walton came to be in Florida. Detectives said the manner of death is undetermined, and the Lake County Sheriff's Office is continuing to gather information regarding the details of the death. The DNA Doe Project is a volunteer organization that seeks to identify John Does and Jane Does and return their remains to their families, a news release said. They use DNA and genealogy to identify unknown persons by looking into their biological relatives. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the DNA Doe Project.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Officials identify transgender woman found dead along a Florida highway in the 1980s
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Officials have identified a transgender woman found dead alongside a Florida highway over three decades ago. Pamela Leigh Walton's body was discovered about 30 feet away from County Road 474 in Clermont on Sept. 25, 1988, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. 'We just had to get open': Clearwater Beach prepares for spring break amid hurricane recovery In 2015, DNA testing revealed the remains belonged to a person who was assigned male at birth. The body found along the highway was wearing a skirt and had breast implants, and there was evidence she may have been taking female hormone replacement therapy. The medical examiner's office assisted the DNA Jane Doe Project in identifying the woman decades after her death. With genealogists' help, the sheriff's office contacted possible relatives, who submitted their own DNA for testing. They learned Walton was born a male in Kentucky and was put up for adoption. She changed her name to Pamela Leigh Walton as an adult. The sheriff's office said it is unknown how Walton ended up in Florida. Her body laid abandoned in a rural, heavily wooded area for up to a month after she died. The sheriff's office is still working to determine her cause of death. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
