Symbols, crosses and pentagrams in the Jeannette De Palma case

Symbols, crosses and pentagrams

In 1972 a quiet New Jersey suburb was shaken by the mysterious murder of 16-year-old Jeannette De Palma. On August 7 a girl from a devout, large family stepped out to visit friends by train and never returned. She did not call home as promised, and her disappearance soon drew attention from the community and authorities.

Before leaving, Jeannette told her mother she would visit friends in a nearby town by rail and would call from there to confirm her safe arrival. The call never came. The family alerted the police and the search began with volunteers, canine units and neighbors combing the area.

Six weeks later the body was recovered deep in the forest near a quarry known locally as Devil’s Teeth. A resident’s dog led the search party to the scene by bringing a portion of a human hand into the home. Police discovered a nearly decomposed body lying face down, the left arm tucked beneath the head and the right arm missing. Early police theories suggested a ritualistic killing. Eyewitness accounts described wooden crosses and logs arranged like a coffin, and demonic symbols carved into rock. Some reports claimed the body lay on a drawn pentagram with signs of dead animals nearby, though these details were never confirmed.

No wounds, only lead

Forensic experts faced a challenge identifying the deceased due to advanced decomposition. After dental records confirmed the victim, investigators focused on how the death occurred. There were no obvious signs of trauma such as stab wounds, bullet wounds, broken bones or bruising. Toxicology did not reveal alcohol or drugs in Jeannette’s system. The standout finding was a high concentration of lead in the tissues.

Experts noted that elevated lead levels could align with ritualistic acts observed in some destructive cults that employ lead in sacrifices or initiations. Lead in occult practices may symbolize base metal and the transition of a person into a new spiritual state. A ritual context was proposed by forensic specialists in relation to the lead presence, though not all conclusions were certain.

Historical associations with lead include its witchcraft lore, where lead plates carried curses and lead sand appeared in spells. An explanation suggested by a forensic analyst linked lead exposure to possible ancient practices, pointing to a scenario where lead could have entered the body through ritual contact or forced administration during a rite.

Ultimately the coroner listed drowning as the cause of death in the report, despite a lack of direct evidence such as a broken hyoid bone or other typical indicators of strangling. The investigative team continued to explore alternate hypotheses while acknowledging the gaps in the record.

They even attracted a witch

Media coverage grew chaotic as speculation framed Jeannette’s murder as a demonic sacrifice. Public calls to remove occult literature from libraries and bookstores gained momentum. An October 4 interview with Father James Tate appeared in a local publication, describing a theory that a small local cult harmed Jeannette while attempting to offer a misguided spiritual awakening. He characterized the group as deeply devout yet accused of violence when challenged in their beliefs. This account gained traction partly due to proximity to Watchung Reservation, a site used by neo-pagans for nature-based practices, and observers proposed connections to the case.

Police received anonymous letters from residents claiming a local Satanist circle planned violence on Halloween. Some observers argued that ritual sacrifices often target an innocent, unblemished young person. Certain occult teachings were cited as supporting the idea that a young woman could channel greater energetic influence, making Jeannette a plausible candidate for a sacrificial act. A forensic expert observed that the age, appearance, and condition of the victim aligned with ritual criteria in some belief systems.

The investigation drew further attention to the possibility of a ritual framework guiding the crime and the potential role of a local forest area in the narrative surrounding Jeannette’s death.

I’m still looking for answers

After months of inquiry a local homeless man known as Red became the sole primary suspect by some accounts, due to his presence near the location around the time the body was found. Eyewitnesses reported his disappearance after the discovery, but no conclusive evidence tied him to the murder. Subsequent searches yielded limited physical traces that were too degraded to confirm a link.

Interest in the case faded, yet in the late 1990s investigative journalists revived efforts. Mark Moran and Jesse Pollak published a book on the case, Death in the Devil’s Teeth, based on new materials, testimonies, and prior interviews. They discussed several undocumented suspects, possible evidence suppression, and even links to other unsolved killings. The ongoing inquiry faced obstacles including records damaged by natural disasters, yet the duo persisted in pursuing new angles and witnesses.

Community figures such as Ed Salzano, who runs a social media page called Justice for Jeannette De Palma, sparked renewed public interest and engagement. In 2021 a legal challenge regarding the handling of evidence prompted officials to reexamine the case under public records laws. Some researchers argued that early attempts to minimize the ritual aspect of the murder shaped how the case was presented to the public, drawing comparisons to other infamous cases and triggering broader debates about truth, justice, and transparency.

There are many versions, but no doubts

Numerous theories continue to circulate about Jeannette De Palma’s death, ranging from demonic ritual narratives to more ordinary explanations. A common alternative suggests involvement by a friend or acquaintance who might have introduced drugs or faced some distress leading to an accidental death and concealment by companions. Medical reviews sometimes challenge these claims by noting the lack of substances other than lead in the bloodstream, which complicates interpretations.

A further theory posits that Jeannette left home for the train and encountered a stranger who attacked her. Whether this person was a peer, a classmate, a church member, or a passerby remains disputed. To this day, neither law enforcement nor journalists have produced a definitive verdict on the exact cause of death. The case endures as one of the region’s most enduring mysteries, decades after the disappearance.

Throughout the years, the Jeannette De Palma case has become a touchstone in discussions about urban legends, occult fears, and the ways communities respond to tragedy. The mix of ritual symbolism, unanswered questions, and contested evidence continues to prompt reflection on how truth emerges in the wake of a haunting unsolved death. The story remains a cautionary tale about the tension between sensational narratives and careful, evidence-based inquiry. [Citation: Moran & Pollak, Death in the Devil’s Teeth; Weird NJ archives; Justice for Jeannette De Palma]”