Loretta Jones was once again laid to rest Wednesday in the Elmo Town Cemetery after her body was exhumed Tuesday afternoon for evidence in a cold case related to her death in 1970.

“We exhumed the body of Loretta Jones, a cold case from 1970 that I have been investigating for seven years, and we took the next steps in the investigation,” said Carbon County Sergeant Dave Brewer. “Hopefully with modern technology the way it is versus 1970, we can get a DNA profile for a suspect in this case.”

Jones’ body was discovered at her home on July 31, 1970. A suspect was arrested, but the case built against him was dismissed following a preliminary hearing in November of the same year. Since then evidence has been collected that was unavailable at the time of the murder to push it to the next level.

“It was brought to light through the medical examiner’s report from 1970 that there could have been someone’s DNA in Loretta’s possession,” Brewer said. “A crime lab in Salt Lake told me that there is a possibility that it could still be with Loretta at this time. That’s what prompted us to go at this.”

While the suspect has not officially been named by the sheriffs office, Brewer says he was a strong person of interest during the original investigation then, and he remains one today.

It could be weeks before the official results from the exhumation are completed, but the investigation will move on. Currently Brewer is working with the FBI to develop a profile based on the action of the homicide itself.

“Cold cases such as this, media coverage helps a lot in a way where citizens of Carbon County remember this case back in 1970 and sometimes this triggers their memory,” Brewer said. “I would be more than happy to entertain any stories or info that people have relating to this case.”

If you have any information regarding this case, contact the Carbon County Sheriff’s office at (435) 636-3251.