Nassau County cold case: Police identify girl's body found in 1982 as Susan Mann, 15, of Hollis, Queens

Nassau homicide detectives have identified a teenage girl whose body was found in a Freeport dumpster in 1982, and they are seeking information about her disappearance and killing.

Nassau police, using investigative genealogy, identified the girl as Susan Mann of Hollis, Queens, they said. Mann was 15 years old when she disappeared on May 17, 1980, authorities said in a news release on Wednesday.

Nassau police declined to discuss what investigative genealogy techniques were used to identify the remains, how she may have died or if there were any suspects.

Authorities believe the body was placed in the dumpster of a Freeport glass factory on Nov. 3 or 4, 1982. Newsday reported at the time that the body was decomposed and partially clothed when it was put there.

Investigators believed the person had been dead for several months, Newsday reported in 1982. The body, which officials said did not show any signs of violence, was discovered by a 16-year-old maintenance worker who was dumping trash in the dumpster.

Nassau police speculated at the time that the body may have been stolen from a nearby graveyard, according to a 1982 Newsday report, but the managers of a Uniondale cemetery told authorities that no bodies were missing.

Nassau police on Wednesday released an image of Mann in the clothing she was wearing when she was last seen. They also released the pendant she was wearing. A blue-and-yellow-striped jacket with a zipper on the front was found with the remains, along with two 14-karat gold pendants. One pendant had an opal, while the other had a gold initial K surrounded by a heart.

It's not clear why it took police so long to make the positive identification.

Family members could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Anyone with information about Mann’s disappearance or death is asked to call 911 or Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.