News Summary
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office has identified a homicide victim long known as ‘Ms. Startex’ as Jolene Lynn White. Discovered in 2011, White’s remains were identified through advanced DNA technology and genealogy work after more than two decades. Investigators are now working to solve the mystery surrounding her homicide, emphasizing the vital role of public participation in DNA databases to aid in cold cases. The identification raises questions about the circumstances of her disappearance and the challenges faced due to her family’s missing person report.
Spartanburg County, South Carolina – A homicide victim known for 14 years as “Ms. Startex” has been identified as Jolene Lynn White, whose remains were discovered in 2011 by a group of teenagers searching for scrap metal. The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office confirmed her identity on September 10, 2025, after an extensive investigation that leveraged DNA technology and family genealogy.
White was born in 1976 and was last known to be alive in 2003. Despite being a victim of a homicide, her family did not report her missing, the reasons for which remain unclear. The manner of her death has been classified as homicide; however, the coroner has withheld specific details regarding the cause in order to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
The discovery of White’s remains occurred in a secluded area, about 25 feet into the woods, obscured beneath layers of metal debris, asphalt, and shingles. This concealment presented significant challenges for investigators, who were tasked with uncovering her identity and the circumstances surrounding her death.
The identification of White involved collaboration between the DNA Doe Project and the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. This partnership, which began in 2020, utilized crowd-sourced DNA information to connect potential family members for DNA matching. A significant breakthrough occurred when investigators located a half-niece on White’s mother’s side, whose DNA matched that submitted to FamilyTreeDNA.
Complicating the case was the genetic background of White’s father, who is of Puerto Rican descent—a demographic noted for its endogamous patterns, making genetic connections difficult to trace. Investigators faced hurdles in constructing a family tree, and their research expanded the family tree to nearly 50,000 individuals; despite this, White’s identity remained elusive until new genetic evidence emerged.
Through accumulating DNA data over years, White’s biological daughter was eventually identified and confirmed via testing that matched DNA samples collected in 2012. The successful identification drew attention to the critical role public participation in DNA databases plays in solving such cold cases.
Rick Ellis, a cold case investigator involved in the case, conducted hundreds of interviews and followed leads to piece together the circumstances surrounding White’s death. The investigation had initiated with the DNA Doe project entry in 2020, leading to steady progress over the subsequent five years.
The effect of the DNA Doe Project on cost-effectiveness was also noted, as the collaboration significantly reduced potential investigative expenses that could have reached hundreds of thousands of dollars if conducted independently. The coroner’s office had previously utilized DNA testing for unidentified persons but had not partnered with the DNA Doe Project until this significant case emerged.
In the wake of Jolene Lynn White’s identification, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office plans to continue its investigation into her homicide. This new evidence is expected to provide leads that may bring closure to her murder case, while the coroner emphasized the importance of community involvement in utilizing DNA databases to solve cold cases.
The prolonged search for the identity of “Ms. Startex” underscores the complexities surrounding unsolved homicides and the advancements in forensic technology that can ultimately yield critical developments in law enforcement’s efforts to seek justice for the victims and their families.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Coroner Identifies Victim
- Wikipedia: Cold Case
- WYFF4: DNA Doe Project Solves Case
- Google Search: Cold Case Investigation South Carolina
- Independent Mail: Nonprofit Helps Identify Jane Doe
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Forensic Science
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Cold Case Victim Identified
- Google News: DNA Doe Project
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
