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Remains located in March 2015 in Loughman Identified using DNA
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Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives, working with Chief Medical Examiner of the 10th Judicial Circuit, Dr. Stephen Nelson, Dr. Michael Warrant of the C.A. Pound Human Identification Lab at the University of Florida, the University of North Texas, and the University of South Florida’s Art of Forensics’ artist, Maggie Florence, have identified the human remains found on March 23, 2015, in Loughman.
The decedent has been identified as Jessica Rousseau, W/F, DOB 8/28/1982. It is believed Rousseau lived in the central Florida area since March 1999. A permanent address is unknown. Rousseau had an extensive criminal arrest history to include Battery, Prostitution, Resisting, Cocaine Sell, Larceny, Contempt of Court, Failure to Appear, Violation of Probation, and Solicit Another for Lewdness; the majority of her arrests occurred in Orange County.
Rousseau’s remains were located by a county maintenance worker at approximately 12:30 pm, on March 23, 2015, as he was mowing property located behind the Loughman Community Park, 6302 Old Kissimmee Road, Loughman. The worker contacted the PCSO.
The only article of clothing near the remains was that of a pink hooded sweatshirt. Detectives searched all missing person’s reports for the surrounding area, however, the search was unsuccessful.
No trauma was noted during the autopsy and the remains were then sent to the C. A. Pound Human Identification Lab where it was determined the remains were that of a female in her mid to late 30s and who was approximately 5 foot 4 inches tall.
Detectives again began searching missing person cases in the surrounding area narrowing the search to the aforementioned description; adult female – small stature.
Samples of DNA were forwarded to the University of North Texas on July 27, 2015.
On October 16, 2015, the University of South Florida hosted an Art of forensics event at the Tampa campus. Using 3D printed images of the victim’s skull, (the images were generated by scanning victim’s skull) artist Maggie Florence sculpted a replica of what the Polk County victim may have looked like.
On June 27, 2016, the University of North Texas advised their DNA testing was complete and a match had been confirmed using the CODIS submission of a known offender registered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. That match was Rousseau.
Detectives notified Rousseau’s two surviving sisters who told detectives neither had seen or talked to their sister in years. Rousseau had lived a troubled life according to her sisters, but none of the information detectives learned helped determine how Rousseau came to be in Loughman, or what caused her death.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives continue to seek the public’s help in answering questions about Rousseau.
Anyone with information about Rousseau’s whereabouts prior to March 2015, is urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863.298.6200.
ANYONE WITH INFORMATION WHO WANTS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CASH REWARD IS ASKED TO CALL HEARTLAND CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-226-TIPS or LOG ONTOwww.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED! iPhone users can download a free tip submit app to anonymously report crime. To install this free app, search for “TipSoft” or “TipSubmit” on the Apple App Store.
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