Jane Lasswell Hoff was born in Hollywood, California, and lived most of her childhood in southern California. She is the daughter of Thomas and Marcia Lasswell, authors and university professors. She attended the University of Hawaii for her undergraduate studies and fell in love with the Hawaiian Islands. She attended the University of Oregon for her graduate studies, and fell in love again, this time with Charles Jay Hoff. She is a professional forensic anthropologist, a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and a writer. As a forensic anthropologist, she has worked throughout the United States for tribal groups, police departments, medical examiners’ offices and for the U.S. Army identifying recovered military remains. She is widowed, and lives and works in Hilo, Hawaii.