Mary Anderson (decedent) on:
[Wikipedia]
[Google]
[Amazon]
Mary A. Anderson is the
When her hotel registration information proved false, investigators unsuccessfully attempted to identify her through fingerprint records on file with the FBI, as well as through missing person reports filed in the U.S., Canada, and through
pseudonym
A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true meaning ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individual's o ...
that was used by an unknown woman who died by suicide in a Seattle, Washington
Seattle ( ) is the List of municipalities in Washington, most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington (state), Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the List of Unit ...
, hotel room in October 1996. Investigations by multiple agencies have failed to identify her.
Death and discovery of the body
On October 9, the woman reserved a room by telephone at the Hotel Vintage Park, 1100 5th Avenue, about 90 minutes before checking in. She arrived with two bags and paid cash for two nights. In the hotel's register, she entered the name "Mary A. Anderson," along with aNew York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
address and a telephone number, all of which investigators later determined to be false.
On October 11, her body was discovered by hotel staff after she failed to check out. She was found reclining in the bed, clasping a Bible to her chest with the pages open to Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is the 23rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "The Lord is my shepherd". In Latin, it is known by the incipit, "". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and ...
. A suicide note was found on the bedside table. She left no identification. The Medical Examiner later determined she had consumed a lethal amount of cyanide
In chemistry, cyanide () is an inorganic chemical compound that contains a functional group. This group, known as the cyano group, consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom.
Ionic cyanides contain the cyanide anion . This a ...
and ruled her death a suicide.
Her suicide note read:
"To Whom It May Concern.
I have decided to end my life and no one is responsible for my death.
Mary Anderson.
P.S. I have no relatives. You can use my body as you choose."
She was white, estimated to be between in her mid-30s to early 50s, and well-groomed with manicured nails and neatly combed hair. She had a copper intrauterine device inserted and she appeared to have had breast surgery at some point in her life.
Investigation
When her hotel registration information proved false, investigators unsuccessfully attempted to identify her through fingerprint records on file with the FBI, as well as through missing person reports filed in the U.S., Canada, and through Interpol
The International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL (abbreviated as ICPO–INTERPOL), commonly known as Interpol ( , ; stylized in allcaps), is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime cont ...
. They were also unable to trace the origins of the cyanide she had used to end her life. The medical examiner's office stated that the woman had "intentionally obliterated" any means of identification.
Othram Inc.
Othram (also Othram Inc.) is an American corporation specializing in Investigative genetic genealogy, forensic genetic genealogy to resolve unsolved murders, disappearances, and identification of unidentified decedents or murder victims (colloqu ...
was contacted to assist with her identification in May 2021.
In 2023, advanced DNA testing suggested that her biogeographical origins connected to Eastern Iran or Afghanistan, with some likely Persian heritage.
See also
*Lyle Stevik
Lyle Stevik (died September 16, 2001) was the alias used by an American man who, in 2001, died by suicide inside a motel room in Amanda Park, Washington. Although his body was quickly discovered, and fingerprints, DNA and dental information c ...
, discovered in Aberdeen, Washington in 2001 after using an alias prior to his suicide.
* Unidentified decedent
Unidentified decedent, or unidentified person (also abbreviated as UID or UP), is a corpse of a person whose identity cannot be established by police and medical examiners. In many cases, it is several years before the identities of some UIDs a ...
References
External links
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Mary 20th-century births 1996 deaths Year of birth missing Unidentified decedents in the United States Suicides by cyanide poisoning Suicides in Washington (state) 1996 suicides Female suicides 1990s in Seattle