Astoria, OR – Oregon State Police, in partnership with forensic technology company Parabon Nanolabs, are working together to identify the remains of a woman whose body was discovered 25 years ago in Clatsop County. The remains, found in 1999, have remained a mystery until now, as advancements in genetic testing and forensic anthropology offer new hope for solving the cold case.
On November 3, 1999, mushroom pickers stumbled upon skeletal remains in a remote area of Clatsop County, off Highway 26 near milepost 29, at the Sunset Rest Area. The area is known for its dense woods, which could have concealed the remains for an extended period. The items discovered with the body included a skull, lower jaw, a pair of white athletic socks, size 33-34 Levi’s blue jeans, a medium-sized black leather jacket, and a silver-colored peace-symbol belt buckle.
The woman’s body was estimated to have been that of a petite individual, standing approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 115 pounds. Experts also believe she had previously given birth, based on the skeletal evidence. Despite the findings, her identity remained unknown for decades, and the case went cold.
In an effort to identify the woman and finally solve the case, Oregon State Police reached out to Parabon Nanolabs in 2019. The company specializes in genetic genealogy and forensic analysis, offering innovative solutions for law enforcement to identify unknown individuals using DNA samples.
Working with Oregon State Police’s forensic anthropologist, Parabon Nanolabs used genetic data extracted from the remains to develop a detailed composite image of the woman. The genetic analysis suggested that the woman’s ancestry was diverse, with roots in Western Europe, West Africa, and Central America. This information could help investigators pinpoint potential familial connections, offering crucial clues as to her identity.
The generated image shows a woman estimated to be between 16 and 30 years old at the time of her death. The composite is the latest in a series of advances in forensic technology, which allow law enforcement to piece together profiles of individuals from genetic data when traditional methods fall short.
Despite the significant progress made in the case, law enforcement officials are still seeking the public’s help. Detective Rose of the Oregon State Police has encouraged anyone with information that could aid the investigation to come forward. Even small details could prove to be vital in solving the case.
“We are hopeful that this new image and the genetic profile will resonate with someone who might recognize this woman or remember something from that time,” Detective Rose said. “This case has been open for 25 years, and every new lead brings us closer to identifying her and understanding what happened.”
The Oregon State Police urges anyone with information to contact Detective Rose at 800-442-0776.
The use of genetic genealogy to identify remains is part of a growing trend in law enforcement to incorporate cutting-edge technology into cold case investigations. Advances in DNA profiling, combined with databases and sophisticated software, have allowed detectives to revisit old cases with fresh eyes, identifying people and solving crimes that had once seemed insurmountable.
In the case of the woman found in Clatsop County, Parabon Nanolabs’ involvement is just one example of how private sector partnerships with law enforcement agencies are making a real difference in solving cases that have long since gone cold.
As the investigation continues, authorities are hopeful that the new leads will finally bring answers to a case that has remained a mystery for over two decades. The woman’s identity is still unknown, but with the new image and genetic data, her family may soon be able to find closure.
For now, Oregon State Police are urging anyone with any information—no matter how small—to contact them. With the public’s help, the 25-year-old mystery may finally be solved, and the woman found in Clatsop County can be identified, remembered, and given the justice she deserves.
