A 24-year-old cold case in Vernon County has the sheriff's department searching for a killer. But to this day, they still don't know who the victim is, and they’re hoping you can help.

On May 4th, 1984 a group of kids found the body of a woman who had been murdered.

"There were some young people driving down this country road. The body was not concealed. It was lying right along the edge of the road," says Vernon County Sheriff Gene Cary.

Jane Doe's body was found along Old Line Road near Westby. Investigators say the person who killed her tried to prevent identification of the body, by cutting her hands off. Cary says the sheriff's department has done everything to identify her including sending her teeth all over the country.

"The forensic dentist that we used had taken those dentures with him on tour to medical conventions and no one can tell us where they're from."

What Cary does know is the woman died from a blow to the head and says the killer was possibly someone she knew or was related to.

"There are all sorts of speculation that a relative had a checking account with her grandmother and is still collecting social security."

The killer did leave some clues behind, but Cary says so far none of the evidence has been much help.

"We have a watch. We believe it's the suspect's watch that was found… seven and a half inch wrist and I would almost bet your wrist is seven and a half inches."

Even after 24 years, Cary still makes calls and works on the case, trying to find justice for Vernon County’s Jane Doe.

"Something that brutal... I mean this lady deserves that much at least."

If you know who Jane Doe is or have any information, you’re urged to call the Vernon County Sheriff's Department.

Vernon County investigators are also working on another cold case.

In February of 1985, Terry Dolowy's body was found in a ditch along a road about six miles south of La Crosse. She had been decapitated and her body burned.

Last December, her body was exhumed from an Illinois cemetery and taken to the Regional Medical Examiner's office in Minnesota. Sheriff Gene Cary says investigators are still waiting on results from the examination.

He says one detective from his department and another detective from the La Crosse County Sheriff's Department are working the case.