LSU FACES Lab Director Mary Manhein Announces Retirement

After more than 30 years of assisting law enforcement agencies statewide and nationally, LSU FACES Lab Director Mary Manhein says it's time to turn the reins over to another generation. Her retirement will be effective April 30.

"It has been the most amazing ride," Manhain says in a news release. "In my youth, I could never have imagined such a career."

Manhein, nicknamed "The Bone Lady," has consulted on hundreds of forensic cases, including mass disasters like Hurricanes Katrina, Ike and Isaac; Shell Oil and Exxon explosions; and multiple, high-profile serial killer cases -- several of them here in the Caddo and Bossier areas. She says the most rewarding part of her job has been working with the families of victims and resolving cold cases.

"It is such a wonderful reward to help these families find their loved ones, to help these families get some peace," Manhein says. “I feel as though I have made a contribution that means something … I’ve had so many opportunities in this world and this is just what I can do to give back to my community."

Plans to name an interim director and conduct a search for a permanent one are still under discussion. Manhein says her future plans include writing, traveling, visiting family and contemplating a new career.

The LSU news release lists further accomplishments by Manhein:

Manhein’s research has included publishing standards for facial tissue depths to assist with creating three-dimensional facial reconstructions for unidentified people; excavation of Civil War battle sites such as Port Hudson; archaeological work at the State Capitol grounds; salvage archaeology at historic cemeteries such as New Orleans’ oldest formal cemetery, Colonial St. Peter Street; NSF-funded research with Xin Li of LSU’s Center for Computer Technology on algorithms for computer restoration of fragmented skulls; and many other projects.

Through LSU Press, she has published three non-fiction books on her work, including “The Bone Lady,” “Trail of Bones” and “Bone Remains.” She has also delved into the world of fiction with “Floating Souls: The Canal Murders,” the first in a series of novels set in New Orleans. Added to these is a non-fiction manuscript she is co-authoring with Jessica Schexnayder, one of her undergraduate students, on endangered historic cemeteries in Louisiana’s coastal regions.

Manhein has been the recipient of various teaching awards throughout her years at LSU and has served as thesis advisor for close to 60 master’s students in anthropology. Additionally, she has been a co-advisor for 20 master’s degree in natural science students. Her future plans include writing, traveling, visiting family and contemplating a new career.