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1986 Cold Case: Graduate Student Shot While Conducting Botanical Research in Delaware Forest

On Sept. 20, 1986, 28-year-old Jane Marie Prichard was shot and killed while conducting botanical field research in Blackbird State Forest, Delaware. She was found later that day and investigators determined she died of blood loss after shotgun wounds to the back and neck. A hunter saw her alive shortly after 10 a.m. and provided descriptions to police. Authorities describe a person of interest as a bearded white male about 5'9"–5'10" and continue to seek public tips.

01:51 AM, 11/25/2025Society
1986 Cold Case: Graduate Student Shot While Conducting Botanical Research in Delaware Forest

On the morning of Sept. 20, 1986, 28-year-old Jane Marie Prichard traveled from Maryland to Blackbird State Forest near Smyrna, Delaware, to conduct field research for her master's thesis in botany. Hours after she began working among native vines, she was found fatally shot.

What happened

Prichard, a graduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, had been staying with a friend in Lewes and left early that morning. She parked a Chevrolet Blazer, unloaded scientific equipment and entered the woods at around 7 a.m. She was discovered later that day by two campers.

Investigators determined she had been struck in the back and neck by shotgun fire and died of blood loss.

Witnesses and investigation

A hunter reported seeing Prichard alive shortly after 10 a.m. and later provided detectives with detailed descriptions of her clothing, her vehicle and the research equipment she had brought into the forest. Although many hunters were in the area that day, police ruled out an accidental hunting incident.

Person of interest

Detectives described a person of interest as a Caucasian male with a beard, approximately 5'9"–5'10" tall, of medium build, wearing a brown jacket and blue jeans. The New Castle County Division of Police has maintained this as an active cold case and continues to pursue leads.

How to help

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit at 302-395-8110 or email coldcase@newcastlede.gov. To remain anonymous, tips may be submitted to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP3333, via www.delawarecrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 Tips mobile app. Rewards of up to $5,000 may be available for anonymous tips that lead to an arrest.

As of 2025 the homicide remains unsolved. Authorities continue to seek information that could bring justice to Prichard's family.

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