Remains found in 1973 identified as missing 14-year-old girl from Pennsylvania

A girl’s remains found under brush and a plastic tarp in a Pennsylvania woods 51 years ago were identified Thursday by Pennsylvania State Police investigators as 14-year-old Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, who was last seen leaving for school in the fall of 1973.

State police said genetic genealogy helped determine the identity of a decomposed body discovered Oct. 10, 1973, by two game wardens near Fort Indiantown Gap. The cause and manner of death of Ruthie, as she was called, have not been determined. said the police.

“The fact that we identified her today does not end our investigation,” Trooper Ian Keck said at a news conference Thursday. “Understanding her daily life and who she interacted with is a key part of this investigation.”

Her body was exhumed from the cemetery in 2016, leading to her identification last month, state police said Thursday. Her home in York is about 50 miles from where her remains were found.

In a statement, her family members thanked investigators, saying their work “has brought some resolution to issues that have dragged on for the past 51 years.”

State police said in a social media post that a $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the case.

Anyone with information can call the Pennsylvania State Police barracks at 610-378-4454 or the State Police tip line at 1-800-4PA-TIPS or on the Internet. Authorities said callers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.