More than four decades after a young woman was killed in East Orange, New Jersey State Police are using genetic genealogy in an effort to determine her identity.

Police say the young Black woman was killed during a domestic violence incident on Eppirt Street on Sept. 14, 1984. People who knew her at the time referred to her as “L.A.” or “Loranda,” but her identity has remained unknown.

Investigators later located and exhumed her remains so a new DNA profile could be developed. The State Police Missing Persons Unit is now working with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, East Orange Police Department and Ramapo College of New Jersey to use the DNA profile in an investigative genetic genealogy effort.

Anyone who may recognize the woman or have information about her identity is asked to contact the State Police Missing Persons Unit at 609-882-2000, ext. 2554, or missingpinformation@njsp.gov.