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keystonecoldcases

Episode #100: Merrybeth Hodgkinson - Murdered (1995)

Updated: Oct 1, 2023

In September of 1995, skeletal remains were discovered by some children behind a diner in Bensalem, PA. An autopsy later determined that the remains were of a woman who had been there for 2-3 years prior to the discovery. She remained an unidentified white female, or “Jane Doe” for 26 years, also known as “Bucks County Jane Doe” and “Clubhouse Jane Doe”.



Source: PhillyBurbs


Merrybeth Hodgkinson


Birth: 1961 - Death: approx. Sept 1992


Ethnicity: Caucasian - Sex: Female



Hometown: Warminster, PA - Bucks County


Crime Scene: Her skeleton was found behind the Club House Diner in Bensalem, PA

Last Known Location Alive: visiting family in Warminster, PA in 1992

Injury Description: Though the first autopsy listed her death as homicide by unspecified means, a later examination found that she most likely died by strangulation

Suspect Description: Though not the same as a suspect, there is a person of interest: a man named William “Wild Bill” Montgomery, 58, formerly of Bensalem. He is currently in a prison near Pittsburgh, PA and admitted to murdering two women. One of the women was an exotic dancer (Merrybeth was as well) and he disposed of that body in a manner similar to how Merrybeth's body was disposed of.

Additional Information: Merrybeth's remains were exhumed in 2004, but she was not identified until 2021



DNA: Unknown

Fingerprints: Unknown







Bensalem Police Detectives ask that anyone who knew Merrybeth Hodgkinson PLEASE contact Detective Chris McMullin of the Bensalem Police at 215-633-3726 or Detective Greg Biedler of the Bucks County DA’s Office at 215-348-6344. You can also call the Bensalem Police Department at 215-633-3719.



Sources

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/bensalem-police-merrybeth-hodgkinson-news-

conference-identifying-remains-1995-

case/#:~:text=A%2030%2Dyear%2Dold%20mystery,first%20time%20on%20Tuesday%20morni

ng.

https://bucks.crimewatchpa.com/bensalempd/15488/post/bensalem-police-identify-human-

remains-1995

https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/2021/12/20/warminster-bensalem-bucks-county-

merrybeth-hodgkinson-cold-case-doylestown-murder-mcmullin/8941926002/

https://lawandcrime.com/crime/authorities-identify-woman-wrapped-in-plastic-buried-in-shallow-

grave-behind-24-hour-diner-in-1995/

https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Bucks_County_Jane_Doe

https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/crime/2011/08/11/jane-doe-bensalem-

1995/17126330007/

https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/jane-doe-found-bucks-county-woods

https://www.fox29.com/news/skeletal-remains-of-woman-identified-in-bensalem-twp-1995-cold-

case

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