Canada's 'Woman In The Well' Identified As Alice Spence

Alice Spence was likely killed and dumped into the well shaft between 1916 and 1918.

Nearly 20 years ago, Canadian police discovered the remains of a woman — previously known only as the “Woman in the Well” — who died more than a century ago.

Now, thanks to DNA testing and genetic genealogy, investigators have identified the remains as Alice Spence (nee Burke), who is believed to have moved to Saskatoon around 1913. Finally, after more than 100 years, her family has gained some closure.

Finding The Remains Of The ‘Woman In The Well’

On June 29, 2006, construction workers were excavating the site of a former gas station in Saskatoon’s Sutherland neighborhood. During the dig, bones were found in a burlap sack inside a wooden barrel that had been tossed down a well, according to a press