Episode 77 DOE ID; ‘Granby Girl’ Patricia Ann Tucker

‘Granby Girl’ Patricia Ann Tucker & her husband Gerald Coleman who is the main suspect in her murder

In November, 1978, the undientified remains of a woman were found in a logging area in Granby, Massachusetts. Police determined that the woman, who was estimated to be in her 20's, had been shot in the head and was a homicide victim. A belt was found wrapped around her neck, an indication that the killer had used it to drag the body to where it was found. Police were not able to link the unidentified woman to any local missing persons cases, and she was dubbed 'Granby Girl'. She was laid to rest in a grave marked 'unknown'.

Decades later, armed with advancements in DNA & forensic genealogy, investigators exhumed Granby Girl's body in an attempt to finally ID her. Using genealogy, it was determined that 'Granby Girl' was actually Patricia Ann Tucker who was last known to be living on the shore of Lake Pocotopaug in East Hampton, Connecticut with her husband, Gerald Coleman. Patricia was last seen when her and her husband Gerald dropped off her son Matthew at a friend's home in Chicopee, Massachusetts in August 1978. They told the friend that they would be back soon after looking for an apartment, but never returned. CPS was called in by the friend to pick up Matthew, but for some reason, a search for Patricia was never initiated. Gerald Coleman never reported his wife missing, and it came to light that he had a troubling criminal record. He died in prison for an unrelated crime, and he remains at the top of the police suspect list as they try and close Patricia's murder case.

Anyone with information about the case of Patricia Ann Tucker, or her husband Gerald Coleman, is asked to call Granby Police at 413-467-9222 or email jwhite@granbypd.org or visit the Granbypd website.

Eventually. DNA & genealogy gave 'Granby Girl' her name back. She was Patricia Ann Tucker and this is her story.