Ep 2. The Missing Identity of the Lady of the Dunes

In the second episode of season six of BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime, viewers are treated to a deep dive into the mysterious disappearance of the Lady of the Dunes. This case has puzzled investigators, armchair detectives, and true crime enthusiasts for over 45 years, and the episode explores all of the theories and clues in an attempt to shed some light on the identity of this unknown victim.

The Lady of the Dunes was discovered on July 26, 1974, by a 13-year-old girl who was walking her dog in the sand dunes near Provincetown, Massachusetts. The woman, who was estimated to be between the ages of 25 and 49, had been brutally murdered, and her body had been positioned in a way that led investigators to believe that it was staged. She was lying on her side, her head resting on a blue bandana, and her legs were spread apart, with her jeans and underwear pulled down to her ankles.

From the start, investigators had a tough time figuring out who the Lady of the Dunes was. They combed through missing persons reports and dental records, but no matches were found. It was clear that the woman had been in the area for at least a few days before she was killed, as she had eaten a meal shortly before her death and had no signs of defensive injuries on her person. She was also found with a distinctive navy blue bandana that had a white design on it, a pair of Wrangler jeans that had been hemmed to fit someone who was about 6 feet tall, and a blue band on her wrist that was similar to a hospital bracelet.

Over the years, countless theories have emerged about who the Lady of the Dunes might have been and who could have killed her. Some of the most popular suspects include Whitey Bulger, a notorious gangster from the area who was known for his violent tendencies; Hadden Clark, a serial killer who was known to have been in the area at the time of the murder; and Tony Costa, a local handyman who was convicted of killing two women but who many believe could have been responsible for other crimes as well.

Throughout the episode, hosts Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej explore each of these theories in detail, speaking with experts and law enforcement officials who have investigated the case. They also examine the evidence that was found at the scene of the crime, including cigarette butts, a pair of wire-rimmed glasses, and a blanket that was found near the body.

Despite the many years that have passed since the murder, there is still hope that the identity of the Lady of the Dunes will one day be revealed. In recent years, forensic genealogy has become a popular tool in solving cold cases, and many victims have been identified using this method. The episode wraps up with a look at some of the ways in which this technology could be used in the Lady of the Dunes case, and viewers are left with a sense of hope that this long-standing mystery could one day be solved.