‘Trunk Lady’ Identified, St. Petersburg’s Oldest, Most Infamous Cold Case Solved

DNA evidence has led to the identification of the victim known as “Trunk Lady,” who was St. Petersburg’s oldest and most notorious cold case.

After 53 years, the St. Petersburg Police Department has announced that they have identified the infamous “Trunk Lady” as 41-year-old Sylvia June Atherton. A mother of five from Tucson, Arizona, Atherton was identified.

In a wooded area behind a restaurant located at 4200 34th Street South, two St. Petersburg Police officers stumbled upon a black steamer trunk on October 31, 1969.

On this day, Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 — After 53 years, the St. Petersburg Police Department has announced that they have identified the infamous “Trunk Lady” as 41-year-old Sylvia June Atherton. A woman named Atherton, hailing from Tucson, Arizona, was a mother of five. The St. Petersburg Police Department has released a statement.

Upon opening the trunk, a woman’s body was found wrapped in a large plastic bag. The victim was found with apparent head injuries and had been strangled using a Western-style Bolo tie typically worn by men. T

he individual was found wearing a pajama top, with some parts of their body still exposed.

According to police, investigators made several attempts to identify the victim through her teeth and bone samples. However, the samples were too degraded to yield any conclusive results. A sample of the victim’s hair and skin, which was obtained during the initial autopsy, has been found and sent to a laboratory in Texas for analysis.

In April, a DNA profile was generated from a sample and subsequently used to confirm the identity of an individual. DNA profiles were also obtained from her children to further verify the identification.

In breaking news, a shooting incident has occurred at the Hollywood Broadwalk, located near Miami. Reports indicate that a total of nine individuals, including a one-year-old infant, were shot. Further details are currently unavailable.

According to detectives, Atherton’s children have been contacted in light of the discovery. According to reports, detectives were able to track down and get in touch with Syllen Gates, who was just nine years old when Atherton went missing. Gates currently resides in California.

On this day, May 30th, 2023 — After 53 years, the St. Petersburg Police Department has announced that they have identified the infamous “Trunk Lady” as 41-year-old Sylvia June Atherton. A woman named Atherton, hailing from Tucson, Arizona, was a mother of five. The St. Petersburg Police Department has issued a statement.

According to Atherton’s daughter, her mother departed from Tucson in the company of her husband, Stuart Brown, and their children, as reported by detectives. Upon investigation, detectives discovered that Brown had passed away in 1999 in Las Vegas, NV. However, according to his court records, there was no indication of a wife.