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2004 Nashville Skull Identified as TSU Student Missing Since 1986

Forensic DNA work at the University of North Texas linked the remains to Alice Mae Sullivan.

Overview

  • Metro Nashville police announced on Oct. 13 that the skull matches Sullivan following an Oct. 8 confirmation by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification.
  • The skull was found by a contractor on Feb. 20, 2004, during home construction on Stokers Lane in North Nashville.
  • Investigators reported no signs of trauma on the skull and recovered no additional remains despite an extensive search of the area.
  • Sullivan, a 20-year-old TSU business student and mother, disappeared on Aug. 28, 1986, after failing to pick up her 3-year-old son following a morning class.
  • UNT’s identification drew on DNA submitted by Sullivan’s family to CODIS, and police say the death investigation remains active.