Per Carl Koppelman, Linda Marie Pagano has been identified. (That link’s not gonna work much longer; I intend to remove her today.) The seventeen-year-old had been missing from Akron, Ohio since September 1, 1974, but I think she wasn’t added to NamUs till last year, and I just added her case last month. She was beautiful, doe-eyed. Her body was found in Strongsville, Ohio, less than an hour from Akron, in February 1975, only a few months after Linda disappeared, but no one made the connection until now. In fact the UID wasn’t even listed on NamUs until June of last year. Carl says,
An online sleuth discovered this forgotten case while researching cemeteries for graves of John and Jane Doe’s. Websleuths member Ice190 [whom I know, she’s a Facebook friend] obtained the casefile via a FOIA request.
(Muttergrumble. Just how many more of these forgotten UIDs are out there?)
Just to show what an amazing, talented forensic artist Carl is, I’m going to show his drawing of the UID. He calls it a “rough reconstruction” because he had only the side view to work with, and no lower jaw. Yet it looks amazingly like Linda. Here’s Carl’s drawing on the left, and a photo of Linda on the right (I cropped Carl’s drawing and made it smaller because I don’t have a bigger picture of Linda).
Linda had been shot in the head, and her hands and feet were deliberately removed. Her mandible was missing also, though I’m not sure whether this was done by the killer or by nature.
Since the killer made a considerable effort to make sure Linda wouldn’t be identified, my guess is he or she was someone Linda knew. Given how long ago she died, there’s a good chance her killer is also deceased. But at least her family will get the opportunity to bury her decently.
The Charley Project Blog 
This is incredible that two strangers with their own talents and curiosity helped this case. Kudos to Carl and Ice190.
May Linda rest in peace. Condolences to those that loved her.
I love how the internet works. A lot of cold cases are solved by a bunch of people who each have a piece of the puzzle, and they don’t know each other or ever meet, but they come together online and find the answer.
Meaghan- this brings up a number of issues that would be perfect for future blog posts. I myself am interested in the FOIA process, and I am a member of a crowd sourcing FOIA website.
I am going to assume that the websleuth member Carl mentioned above discovered that Ms. Pagano was an old MP case that was not listed in NamUs.
A REALLY helpful Charley blog post (perhaps one already exists, i’ll have to do another search) would be a post detailing all missing person reports that are not already listed in NamUs.
I understand that LE will usually make the excuse that they are over worked and under budgeted. However, a FOIA request for old cases would force local departments to search for, and digitize, old files. This is something that they should be doing already.
Perhaps people could get together and create a list of 100 or so old missing person cases that aren’t listed in NamUs. There could then be an organized effort to FOIA this information in various jurisdictions.
I’ll see what I can do about missing such a list. It will be an opportunity to do a big purge, too, I should think. *gulps a couple of laxatives*
Gah. Well, I TRIED to start a list of cases that were on my site but weren’t on NamUs but I’ve been working on it for hours alphabetically by surname and so far I’m only up to “Aikau.” Cause I keep having to check “is this case in NamUs, yes, okay, check the NamUs page and see if there’s anything I don’t have, okay, it’s not in NamUs, check the original source and see if this person has been found” etc and it is taking a very long time and I’m afraid I have a lot of other things that must also occupy my time.
Pretty sure it was the stepdad. They had a pretty volatile relationship and he was supposedly the last person to have seen her and they fought. I am so happy to see that this is confirmed….
I am an old high school friend of Linda’s ,we had a lot of great times hanging out together and I miss my spunky little friend. My heart has been heavy all these years of the NOT knowing. I thank all involved for finally giving her family and friends closure.May her soul finally rest in peace.Love and miss you my sweet friend🌹🙏🐞💔
Talk about your heart bein g heavy was only two years old in 1974. As soon as I heard about Linda something clicked in a good way and I miss her a lot and I never knew her. Wesley Akron Ohio.
No offense but I pray cause he heard me from the beginning before I was even thought of that Linda met Jesus cause I really want to see here again. Wesley Akron Ohio.
Id like to apologize to the web master this page here but id like to get in touch with linda friends. My new K coastline234 All is well with me and thank you very much. Wesley Akron Ohio.
I’m sorry but what kind of thing was it? It doesn’t sound like it was a simple argument over a car boyfriend whatever it sounds like it could be like a little like that. Thanks.
Can say with at (least 80 percent) certainty was the Stepfather if these remains are ID as Linda’s and maybe even so too. I’ve been given additional details and seem point it too. Thank you.
I hope the remains will positively be identified. Linda was my cousin. We all thought the stepfather did it. How sad that Aunt Ann never had closure.
I can’t imagine what it has been like for you and your family all these years.
Is the step father still living?
Hoping that your family doesn’t have much longer to wait for the DNA.
Her stepfather has passed on.
I am in contact with someone who is working Linda’s case for real and they have been able to give me information to my knowledge has not been released. If the remains are positive ID as Linda’s it’s almost certainly Linda’s Step Father who did it. Another thing I question Whether the car was technically Linda’s could have been her Step Father’s in reality. Thank you.
Left Facebook because folks are rude makes me same to them and only way stop the cycle just stay off. I apologize, according to the remains being examined must have been a 0.22 handgun and not a rifle. And yes it’s true Linda’s face not same as the picture from remains. This doesn’t mean it’s not her it is hard when you have little work with. Did Linda’s Stepfather own a 0.22 handgun? Thank you. Wes.
I hoe I’m not samming anyway me and my best friend I graduated have been talking about the case yeh I’ve blogged this like before I’m sorry and web masters can always deleet anything too. It depends how conclusive her injurys are and were. taking into consideration Linda probaly knew a short cut to say Arlington plaza passing through some woods. I don’t she could walk it would have been at very best if ossible eight miles to her moms using a short cut if it even exists. So currently we think the injurys may not have been cocclusive and Lida may or may not have tried to cross Manchester Road like across from Youngs resturant was struck by a speeding vehicle it was dark and could also have been raining. The impact could have been enough to produce her injurys already found. The driver would have picked her up and that’s how she was found. Linda would have suffered the least if any at all this way and still was an awful thing to happen. This was between four and five A AM on the day before it was reported to the police and it was reported September 1 1974. I asked mny friend because it is still odd how a person could loose limbs with a car accident I still think it is odd but I guess possible. The arguement Linda had with her Stepdad could have been over her car her boyfriend and comming home late. I think Linda was trying to coss the street get to a ;pay phone for a ride perhas to her Mom. Thanbk you Wesley Akron, Ohio.
These sporadic comments are the result of my stupidity, losing email addresses etc etc I’m extremely embarrassed because of trying guess too hard and I care. On social media found someone working the case so that’s something very positive. Thank you.
Thinking about seeing if they used metal detector over the remains site years ago. If bullet is found ( may have fell out) and find Linda’s Step Father’s old gun see if a positive match. Thank you.
Please visit my Facebook page (Wesley Deit) sorry seems after interest goes down folks go back their own lives and I will continue keeping my page the same. Thank you.
I would appreciate any feedback such as comments, corrections anything and would like to hear from Linda’s Family and friends too. Thank you very much.
Took me a while to find it, but here’s a recent example. The state of Kansas is currently debating a bill that would open up missing person records to cold cases that are over 25 years in age:
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2017/mar/06/bill-would-grant-access-cold-case-missing-persons-/
The second this bill passes there should be open record requests for each and every case that mentions the criteria. I’d be willing to be that there are a number of such cases that were never added to NamUs.
Way to go Karl.
If this proves a positive match for Linda composite does’nt look like her except for the nose just like
one of Linda’s friends has already commented elsewhere. Thank you.
Feelig sad and happy at the same time. Happy they finally found her, sad at what may have been done to her. I wish Ann, her Mom was still with us. But I am sure they are together now. RIP
Dear Linda what size shoe did Linda”s Ste-pfather have so even though he was retired he may have stuck to a size 12 or more steel toed work boots. Not an expert but I don’t feel right now the wound is conclusive. I believe she was lying down floor and could have been this way instead. Furthermore I’m guessing she was lying face down flat surface like the floor. Second question Where Linda and her Step- Father lived was it a ground floor apartment with a basement? Third it seems like this could have been thought out since Linda was almost 18 and could leave the trip- the clothes car I’m very sorry I’m trying to be very respectful to everyone just trying to help. I have some one lives inside my heart Jesus. I would have given my own life in place of Linda so she would be alive today and I’m being honest.
Okay I am really sorry I talked to my best friend went to school with I think we both agree she was hit by a car. With respects it is hard to figure stuff out takes time my friend he says that kind of wound can’t ideally be caused by my p-revious method above comment. I would like for the p-olice to p-ewrsue this current idea she was hit by a car.
The argue ment could have been about her car about her second boyfriend which I think may have been 21 not 20 years old Steve Wilson his alias name? Comming home late after concertg she took off on foot and was hit by a vehicle. Thank you much.
Maybe a drunk driver.
I was best friends with Linda for years in high school. I am glad her mother did not have to live knowing this. It would have been too devastating for those who loved her. I always had hope that she would turn up somewhere. I only regret that no one had to pay for what they did to her. RIP
I was only two years old in 1974 hurt and sad about this whole thing. Apologize I’ll leave my k and this is Shortspan 123. I noticed some information regards location of Linda’s car and whatever the condition today it could also be worked into something for her family too. Furthermore I’m not just asking anybody just person right above my comment for now. Thank you very much West 123.
I greatly apologize I’m sorry What asking for is help finding Linda’s car for her family so with respect I’m asking Linda’s best friend and thank you once again. West123
All that I know for sure is that it was a brand new gold mustang. It was probably a 1974. I understand that Byron Claflin began driving it after Linda went missing so it would have been registered to him.
Per your trip you took with Linda to the beach she was wearing a song in the picture. Hope you know what the popular song (music) was. No harm meant Lol Thank you. Wes.
Googled swalloed my email account so I just opened up a new one either that dumb dumb (me) forgot my password. I apologize for my rudeness and thank you West123.
This is an incredible rude person.
Everyone is rude go blow off.
I believe more could have been done to keep this from happening in the first place. It does not matter what the law says I would not place anyone any where they did not need to be no matter what the cdosts. thank you.
Familys of minors are supposed to do their best to protect them at any costs its basic everyones fault thats how I see it after investgating.
I would like t6o apologize for being rude just now. Linda loss hits home because of an all togethyer situation ive been through. I cannot expect a total stranger so I asked my best friend. Again I apologize and thank you.
We will be looking for the car.
This could be true but what Ive heard it ended up at a junkyard squished. So I can be wrong.
If it is there I ruffly may know where it is located funny there are so many reports out there for just about everything too. Its difficult when dumb dumb meaning me keeps close open new accounts too. I’m sorry about that.
The internet is amazing even folks that mean well kind hearted have ADHD (very disorganized as readers can tell) can join in discussions too. Some of my concerns is raising funds to proceed with Linda’s case pending if there is a positive ID. What I mean is there should be a service and a funeral show respect to Linda’s family and perhaps others missing too. Apologize for comments mean well and trying because I care. Thank you, Wesley D. Akron Ohio.
When I say ADHD and disorganized I mean myself and no one else. I’m not here to spam It’s just that I really care and it is not that easy for me to explain myself. Thank you, Wesley D. Akron Ohio.
I am only using my imagination and available information. Currently means it will probaly change I think police should re interview Linda’s number one again and not so much Mr. Wilson. First Linda mom was from 10 to 20 miles walk and even though she may have used her car for the concert she may not have had access a second time. Also Linda mom may not have had access to a vehicle or something to pick her up.. I assume Linda dropped off mr Wilson before returning home that leaves possiblity of first stepdad second a stranger third Linda first BF. I apologize I’m just trying to help. I believe Linda went to a payphone early that morning and called him to pick her up it is just a theory. Thank you. and I apologize again.
I am only using my imagination and available information. Currently means it will probaly change I think police should re interview Linda’s number one again and not so much Mr. Wilson. First Linda mom was from 10 to 20 miles walk and even though she may have used her car for the concert she may not have had access a second time. Also Linda mom may not have had access to a vehicle or something to pick her up.. I assume Linda dropped off mr Wilson before returning home that leaves possiblity of first stepdad second a stranger either Linda BF. I apologize I’m just trying to help. I believe Linda went to a payphone early that morning and called him to pick her up it is just a theory. Thank you. and I apologize again.
I believe in the vehicle they had an arguement over Mr Wilson it could have been jelousy.
From confused anyway this is a real kind message to Linda’s brother sister my Kik is coastline 234 and my name is Wesley from Akron please contact me cause I’d like to know more about Linda thank you.