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CASE FILE #005

Brenda Denise Woodard

Victim

Brenda Denise Woodard

1971 · Age 18 · Washington, DC

Last Known Information

Brenda Denise Woodard, 18, was the fifth victim linked to the Freeway Phantom case in Washington, D.C. A note found with her body, reportedly written in her own handwriting under apparent dictation, taunted police with the phrase “Catch me if you can.”

Location

Washington, DC

Discovery / Timeline
  • 1971: Case opens — victim reported missing or found.
  • Documented milestones (renewed investigation, media coverage, family advocacy) to be added as sourced.
  • Present: case remains unresolved. No named suspect has been convicted.
Investigation
  • Victim identity, age, and that she is treated as the fifth case in the series.
  • A note found with her body has been referenced in public reporting and by police.
What Remains Unknown
  • The note's full content and any forensic (e.g. handwriting) analysis are not fully detailed in public records.
  • No confirmed suspect has been named and convicted.
Sources
  • Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC) — official case page
  • Wikipedia — background reference
  • Project Cold Case
  • Murder Accountability Project
  • NamUs
Unanswered Questions
What has law enforcement publicly said about the note associated with this case?
Has handwriting or forensic analysis of the note been made public?
How does this case connect procedurally to the others in the series?
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