Identification of Cindy Marcell Blizzard After 49 Years

Background of the Disappearance

In the spring of 1977, 15‑year‑old Cindy Marcell Blizzard left her home in Monkton, Maryland, and was reported missing. Her family and local authorities launched a search, but no trace of the teenager was found. The case remained open for decades, with investigators periodically reviewing leads but unable to determine her fate.

Discovery of Remains in Wilson County

On December 29, 1977, skeletal remains and clothing were uncovered in a wooded area near the Firestone plant in Wilson, North Carolina. The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), began an investigation. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner estimated the remains belonged to a white female aged 16‑23, likely deposited in the woods six months to two years prior. No cause of death could be established, but the location raised suspicions of foul play, prompting investigators to treat the case as a possible homicide.

Years of Dead Ends and the Cold Case Status

For years, investigators compared dental records with missing‑person databases nationwide, yet no match emerged. The forensic technology available in the late 1970s and early 1980s was insufficient to extract usable DNA from the degraded bone samples. Consequently, the case went cold, and Blizzard’s identity remained unknown despite persistent efforts by law‑enforcement agencies in both Maryland and North Carolina.

Breakthrough Through Genetic Genealogy in 2024

In 2024, SBI Cold Case Special Investigator Andy Murr reopened the file, employing forensic tools that did not exist at the time of the original discovery. A bone sample was submitted for advanced DNA testing, and the resulting genetic profile was uploaded to public genealogy databases. Using investigative genetic genealogy, researchers identified distant relatives of the deceased, which ultimately pointed to the Blizzard family in Maryland. Coordination with the Maryland State Police, the FBI, and the SBI confirmed that the remains were those of Cindy Marcell Blizzard.

Current Status and Ongoing Investigation

As of September 2025, the manner and cause of Cindy Marcell Blizzard’s death remain undetermined. The SBI continues to classify the case as an open homicide investigation, urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the SBI Cold Case Tip Line at 919‑582‑TIPS, emailed to coldcases@ncsbi.gov, or reported to the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office at 252‑237‑2118. No new public developments have been announced since the 2024 identification, but investigators stress that even small details could prove crucial.

Anyone with information about Cindy Marcell Blizzard’s case is asked to call the SBI Cold Case Tip Line at 919-582-TIPS, email coldcases@ncsbi.gov or contact the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office at 252-237-2118.

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