The Irvine Police Department has disclosed that a young girl found murdered and set ablaze in Southern California back in 2009 has now been identified, after 15 years, as Marcia Shirree Thomas, a then-missing child from Reno, Nevada. According to KTLA, through DNA testing and a prolonged investigation, authorities were able to finally grant a name to the long-unidentified victim.

On September 4, 2009, Marcia Thomas was coerced into a van by two brothers, Zenaido and Gabino Valdivia-Guzman, aged 23 and 30 respectively. The terror of the situation became apparent to Thomas when she noticed Zenaido concealed in the rear of the vehicle, eliciting desperate screams and attempts to escape. "She began to panic after discovering Zenaido was sitting in the back," the Irvine police reported. Gabino continued to steer the vehicle as his brother assaulted Thomas, who was ultimately strangled to death by Zenaido. The pair then dumped and immolated her body in a parking lot at the 1800 block of Kettering Street in Irvine, fleeing with the victim’s cell phone, as detailed by KTLA.

The gruesome discovery was made the following morning by employees arriving for work. As per an official statement from the city of Irvine, the Irvine Police responded to the scene and began an investigation that led to them collecting DNA evidence from under the victim's fingernails. That evidence would be pivotal in linking Zenaido Valdivia-Guzman to the crime following a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence where his DNA was collected.

As this case unfolds and the family of Marcia Shirree Thomas continues to navigate their immense loss, the Irvine Police Department remains diligent in their pursuit of justice. As noted by KTLA, they encourage those with information to come forth, asking them to call Detective John Sanders at 949-724-7233.