Nearly 40 years after she was reported missing, a skull found in Nashville has been identified as that of Alice Mae Sullivan. Sullivan, who disappeared in 1986, failed to pick up her young son from a babysitter’s house after attending class at Tennessee State University.
What Happened: Discovery and Identification of Alice Mae Sullivan
In August 1986, Alice Mae Sullivan, a mother of a 3-year-old son, was last seen leaving Tennessee State University after a morning class. She was supposed to pick up her son from a babysitter, but she never arrived. Her disappearance led to an extensive search, but she was never found, and the case went cold.
In 2004, during construction work on Stokers Lane in North Nashville, a contractor uncovered a skull. Despite years of investigation, the skull’s identity remained unknown. However, in the latest breakthrough, forensic scientists at the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification helped match the skull to Alice Mae Sullivan last Wednesday.
The skull showed no signs of trauma, but the circumstances surrounding Sullivan’s death are still under investigation. The skull remains the only piece of Sullivan’s remains found so far.
Sullivan’s Disappearance and Search
Alice Mae Sullivan’s sudden disappearance in 1986 sent shockwaves through the Nashville community. She was last seen in the morning, heading to her class at Tennessee State University, but her failure to pick up her son that afternoon raised immediate concerns. Her parents reported her missing the following day.
Despite efforts to find Sullivan, no further clues were found, and the case grew cold. Over the years, there were few updates, until the discovery of the skull in 2004 brought a new lead in the investigation.
Ongoing Investigation: What’s Next?
While the identification of the skull has provided some closure to Sullivan’s family, the investigation into her death is far from over. The circumstances leading to her death remain unclear, and investigators are continuing to explore leads. The fact that no other remains were found complicates the search for further evidence.
Local authorities have expressed their commitment to continuing the investigation in hopes of uncovering more information about Sullivan’s final moments.
Public Reaction and Closure
The identification of Alice Mae Sullivan’s remains brings a long-awaited sense of closure to her family, though the questions surrounding her disappearance remain. For nearly four decades, Sullivan’s loved ones lived with uncertainty and grief, and while the discovery of her remains answers some questions, it opens others.
Closing Line
This story may be updated with more information as the investigation into Alice Mae Sullivan’s death continues.
