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Remains found in suitcase along metro Atlanta interstate identified

The Pennsylvania native spent the last years of her life in Gwinnett County. She was reported missing in 2014.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The remains of a woman found in a suitcase in Gwinnett County in 2016 have been identified after a three-year investigation.

On Friday, the Gwinnett County Police Department announced that the remains were those of Jessica Ashley Manchini - reported as 29 years old at the time her bones were discovered between I-85 and I-985

Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Jessica Ashley Manchini

That find was made on July 29, 2016. Aside from the suitcase and the remains themselves, police found a tag from the suitcase that appeared to have faded blue ink that was no longer visible to the human eye.

"Several lighting tests were done in 2016 to try and read the writing, but the ink appeared to have wasted away," the police department said.

But in 2019, the tag was re-examined with new technology which led to a new lead in what was becoming a colder case with each passing day.

"The tag revealed a partial name and address which led us to a missing person named Jessica Manchini," the police department said. "Manchini was originally from Pennsylvania, but spent the last few years of her life here in Gwinnett County."

She was reported missing in December 2014. Dental and medical records have since confirmed the remains belonged to Jessica, though her cause and manner of death are still under investigation.

And for that, police still need help from the public. Anyone with information who wishes to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS. Alternatively, Gwinnett detectives can be contacted directly at 770-513-5300.

The body now confirmed to be Manchini's was part of a 2017 11Alive Investigation regarding bodies found alongside I-85.

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