Overview
- Construction workers found partially buried remains near Boca Raton on January 18, 1978, and the death was ruled a homicide.
- Advanced forensic investigative genetic genealogy by Othram produced leads in 2025 that enabled detectives to confirm Ritchie's identity on December 2, 2025.
- Ritchie, born in Harrisonburg, Virginia, was believed to be 23 or 24 when she disappeared and was last seen in 1977 near a Harrisonburg truck stop.
- Investigators say it remains unknown who she traveled with, how she reached Florida, or the precise circumstances of her death.
- Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office urges tips to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS or Investigator William Springer at 561-688-4013, with a $3,000 reward offered.