DNA: ID – Doe ID ‘Singer Island Jane Doe’ Susan Poole

Podcast: DNA: ID
Host: Jessica Bettencourt (AbJack Entertainment)
Episode Date: May 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of DNA: ID explores the tragic mystery and eventual identification of "Singer Island Jane Doe," a teenager whose remains were discovered in the mangroves of South Florida in 1974 and remained unidentified for almost 50 years. Using the powerful tools of investigative genetic genealogy, authorities finally solved her identity: Susan Gayle Poole, a 15-year-old from Broward County who vanished in December 1972. The episode unfolds the painstaking investigation, the breakthroughs in DNA technology, Susan’s story, and the dark shadow of serial killer Gerard John Schaefer—who is strongly suspected in her death.

Discovery of Singer Island Jane Doe (01:10–07:45)

• Discovery
  On June 16, 1974, a man and his sons searching for fishing lures on Singer Island, Florida, stumbled upon a human skull near Lake Worth Lagoon. The site was a dense, swampy mangrove area—making the search for more remains extremely difficult.
• Condition of Remains
  Mostly skeletal remains, scattered and stripped of flesh (likely by wildlife), were found. Clues included strawberry blonde hair and a petite frame (approx. 4'11"–5'2", 83–120 lbs).
  • “She was tied up in the mangroves with wire to a tree. She was skeletal remains, totally nothing left of her except bones.” – Detective William Springer (03:04)
• Scene Evidence
  • Black-coated wire fastened around a tree, suggesting the victim was tied up.
  • Partial clothing: Daisy Duke-style jean shorts, yellow metallic-striped underwear, and a distinctive black-and-gray sweater with mysterious holes (ultimately deemed the result of environmental exposure, not gunshots).
  • No jewelry, shoes, or other identifiers.

Efforts to Identify Jane Doe (07:45–12:00)

• Initial Investigative Challenges
  --No fingerprints; dental records were circulated but no matches found.

  • Authorities briefly suspected connections to missing girls in Michigan and a serial confessor in custody, but dental comparisons ruled them out.
  • Lack of personal effects and a “needle in a haystack” setting delayed progress.
  • “If we came up with an identification of this skeleton, it’ll be a stroke of luck… this girl could have come from anywhere in the country.” – Sheriff William Heidman (07:41)

• Lost & Recovered Evidence
  Over the years, the remains were misplaced or forgotten. Bone fragments made the rounds to various anthropologists for analysis.

Advancements through DNA Technology (12:04–15:45)

• Modern DNA Efforts

  • In 2015, DNA was extracted and entered into CODIS as an unidentified human remains profile, but no hits occurred.
  • In 2017, Jane Doe was entered into NamUs as UP16314, and over five years, ruled out as 11 different missing women.
  • In 2019, forensic artist Autumn Crick reconstructed Jane Doe’s face, but no leads emerged.

• Breakthrough via Investigative Genetic Genealogy

  • In December 2021, Othram Labs contacted Detective Springer to offer advanced genealogical testing.
  • By March 2022, Othram provided a possible match. Detective Springer called a potential sibling, who confirmed: “Yes… My sister has been missing since 1972.” DNA from their elderly mother clinched the identification.

The Real Identity: Susan Gayle Poole (15:45–18:28)

• Background on Susan
  • Born February 12, 1957. She was 15 when she vanished in December 1972.
  • Described as a “hippie,” social, and happy, Susan loved rock-and-roll and alternative fashion—she also hitchhiked, common among teens in the 70s.
  • Lived in the Pan American trailer park with family, sometimes staying with friends in Wilton Manors.
  • “She was beautiful. She had a beautiful smile.” – Patti Poole, Susan’s sister (16:45)
• Disappearance
  • Susan’s purse was left behind, causing concern among friends and family.
  • Seen last in Wilton Manors, just before Christmas. There may not have ever been a formal missing persons report—authorities dismissed her as a runaway, and no connection to the remains discovered 18 months later was ever made.

Investigative Theory: The Suspect – Gerard John Schaefer (18:28–27:41)

Background of Gerard Schaefer

• Early Life & Escalating Criminal Behavior
  • Born 1946, raised in Wisconsin and Florida, troubled family background, early paraphilias including bondage and voyeurism.
  • History of cruelty to animals and peeping tom behavior.
• Law Enforcement Aspirations & Jobs
  • Brief stints in local police and Sheriff’s departments—but fired for disturbing conduct involving young women.
• Progression to Violence
  • Known “doubling” MO—abducting and torturing pairs of women/girls.
  • Notorious case: Abduction of Pamela Sue Wells and Nancy Ellen Trotter in 1972. They narrowly escaped being murdered by Shaefer.
  • Upon arrest, Shaefer was later released on bail, during which time further murders likely occurred.

Key Quote & Notoriety

• “He was the most sexually deviant person I had ever seen. He made Ted Bundy look like a boy scout.” – Prosecutor Robert Stone (19:35)

Schaefer’s Trail of Victims & Evidence (27:25–35:36)

• Known Victims

  • Georgia Jessup (16) and Susan Place (17), picked up under the pretense of a beach trip, found dead, tied to trees, and horribly mutilated (27:30–29:30).
  • Several others, with possessions (“trophies”) found in Schaefer’s homes: purses, jewelry, licenses, diary entries, and more.

• Trophy Collection

  • “A treasure trove of evidence… masturbatory aids that helped him relive the fantasy of sexually abusing and killing his victims.” (30:25)
  • Evidence pointed to many more victims, including several other missing teens from the area and era—often hitchhikers or girls from trailer parks, like Susan Poole.

• Schaefer’s Fantasies and Confessions

  • Writings describing bondage, torture, and necrophilia were discovered.
  • Letters suggest a possible link to unsolved murders, including the cannibalization of two young girls (Peggy Ron and Wendy Stevenson).

The Fate of Gerard Schaefer (37:41–39:54)

• Conviction and Incarceration
  • Convicted and sentenced to two concurrent (later consecutive) life sentences for the murders of Place and Jessup.
  • “At the time of his conviction, the death penalty was not available in Florida.” (37:44)
  • His earliest parole hearing would have been 2017, but he was murdered in prison in 1995 by another inmate—stabbed 47 times, his eyes gouged out.
• Attempt to Connect Adam Walsh Case
  • Attempted to leverage prison relationships with other notorious murderers for information.
• Posthumous Confirmation
  • Many authorities, including Detective Springer, are convinced he killed Susan Poole, even in the absence of concrete, direct evidence.

The Aftermath: Family & Investigation Reflections (39:54–43:45)

• Family’s Reaction
  • Susan’s sister, Patti, described mixed feelings: “We were hoping she would come home... Every time I saw someone with long blonde hair in jeans like she wore, I would wonder if it was her.” (41:10)
• Closure at Last
  • Patti planned to have a memorial, finally able to lay her sister to rest.
  • “It’s devastating, but relief... bring her home.” – Patti Poole (42:08)
• Technological Impact
  • Detective Springer at the press conference: “Detectives did their job, but they didn’t have any of this new technology. Then he revealed that thanks to an IGG investigation done by Othram, Singer Island Jane Doe had been identified as Susan Gayle Poole.” (40:40)
• Ongoing Suspicions
  • Circumstantial evidence and victimology (timing, place, MO) align with Schaefer, though no concrete link like a trophy. Detective Springer notifies: “I believe 100% that Schaefer killed Susan.” (43:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the discovery:
  “Looking for tiny bones in this area was comparable to the infamous needle haystack situation.” (04:03)
• On police limitations:
  “If we came up with an identification of this skeleton, it’ll be a stroke of luck…” – Sheriff William Heidman (07:41)
• On closure:
  “It’s devastating, but relief, she said of learning that the remains were identified as her sister. Put her to rest. Bring her home, she said of her next steps.” – Patti Poole (42:08)
• On advances in technology:
  “Detectives did their job, but they didn’t have any of this new technology… thanks to an IGG investigation done by Othram, Singer Island Jane Doe had been identified…” – Detective Springer (40:40)
• On persistent suspicion:
  “Like any responsible investigator who has only circumstantial evidence to rely on, Detective Springer is careful not to assert publicly that Schaeffer was definitely Susan’s killer. But he told me he believes 100% that Schaeffer killed Susan.” (43:15)

Key Timestamps

• [01:10] Discovery of remains and investigation begins
• [07:41] Major quote on difficulty of identification
• [12:04] DNA testing and entry into CODIS
• [16:45] Patti Poole describes her sister Susan
• [18:28] Introduction of serial killer Gerard Schaefer
• [27:25] Schaefer’s known victims and the evidence
• [37:41] Schaefer’s conviction, prison life, and death
• [39:54] Press conference and family’s feelings on identification
• [43:15] Detective Springer’s belief in Schaefer's guilt

Conclusion

This case illustrates the transformative power of genetic genealogy in solving cold cases and bringing answers to families, even after decades of pain and uncertainty. While Susan Poole’s killer has never been definitively proven, the investigation’s attention to forensic evidence, patterns of criminal behavior, and the emotional toll on families is sensitively detailed throughout the episode. The story serves as a poignant reminder of how far forensic science and investigative diligence can go in seeking justice for the forgotten.