After nearly seven years of uncertainty and anonymity, the remains of a woman found in 2018 have been identified, bringing her family closure. In a discovery that initially perplexed Hamilton County authorities, the body of Patricia Colina Goodwin, a 71-year-old woman, was found by children playing near a playground at a North Avondale apartment complex, Local 12 reported. Notably, a rose was placed on her at the site of her discovery, an act that underscored the solemnity of the scene.
Referred to as the "Rose Lady," Goodwin's body was found partially buried in a mulch bed with a rose positioned on her chest. This poignant detail became a unique identifier in the search to discover her identity. In a statement obtained by FOX19, Dr. Lakshmi Kode Sammarco of the Hamilton County Coroner's Office explained how the collaboration with federal agencies, including the FBI, as well as genealogical testing, was crucial in identifying Goodwin. The identification process was also furthered by public tips and distinctive items Goodwin wore, such as her shirt and jewelry, which the coroner's office shared to elicit recognition.
Not only has Goodwin now been given back her name, but her family has received an answer to a haunting question that lingered for years. "Her brother passed away a month ago, still wondering what had happened to his sister, but at least her nephew knows now and the rest of the family," said Hamilton County Coroner Lakshmi Sammarco, according to a Local 12 interview. The resolve to bring peace to the bereaved was palpable in the coroner's efforts to solve this case.
In a turn towards closure, the coroner also confirmed that Goodwin had died of a drug overdose. Her burial took place at Spring Grove Cemetery beside her son, which was a poignant gesture for a woman who, until recently, lay nameless. This fact, shared by WLWT, marks the end of a mystery that once seemed destined to remain unsolved. Goodwin's identity was ultimately verified through DNA matching with her son, a testament to the advancements in forensic science that can weave back together the narratives of lives once lost and seemingly erased.
