An unidentified teenage girl found in the Mississippi River more than 50 years ago has been identified as Cheryl Lynn Edwards from Waukegan. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the identification through forensic genealogy.

On April 11, 1975, deputies responded to a report of a deceased teen discovered in the Mississippi River, north of Clinton. Despite an autopsy ruling the death a homicide, the girl’s identity couldn’t be determined until recent advances in DNA technology.

Edwards, the daughter of the late Bernice and Leonard Edwards from Waukegan, went missing over five decades ago. Her family continued searching for her throughout the years. Authorities have notified surviving family members of her identification.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, now armed with modern forensic tools, is pursuing the investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding Edwards’ death.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Waukegan Police Department and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, is requesting public assistance. They seek information about Edwards’ life, disappearance, and death to propel the investigation forward.