In a bid to solve a 25-year-old cold case, Oregon State Police have turned to cutting-edge technology with the help of Parabon NanoLabs, who are experts in genetic phenotyping. This collaboration has led to the creation of a new facial illustration that investigators believe could bring new leads in identifying the remains of a woman discovered in 1999.
According to a release from the Oregon State Police, on Nov. 3, 1999, the skeletal remains of an unidentified female were found by mushroom pickers in a wooded area off Hwy. 26 near milepost 29, in Clatsop County. The forensic examination suggests she was between 16 to 30 years of age, around 5 ft. 2 in. tall, and weighed between 108-117 pounds. It is also believed, that the woman had given birth at some point before her death.
The remains were not found alone; accompanying articles include white athletic socks, Levi's blue jeans size 33x34, a medium-sized black leather jacket, and a silver-colored "peace symbol" belt buckle, "This new illustration created by Parabon NanoLabs may be the key to unlocking her identity; we hope someone may recognize her now," the Oregon State Police conveyed.
Additionally, with the revolutionary technology from Parabon NanoLabs, the victim's ancestry has been pinned down to include roots from Western Europe, West Africa, and Central America, potentially pivotal in tracing her family lineage. Oregon State Police state, "Everyone deserves the dignity of a name; through our partnership with Parabon NanoLabs we will continue to search for her family and ultimately identify her."
The partnership between Oregon State Police and Parabon NanoLabs, established since 2019, has already resulted in the identification of over 30 individuals previously unnamed. The public is urged to come forward with any information they might have by contacting Detective Derek Rose through OSP's Northern Command Center at 800-442-0776 or using *OSP (*677) on a mobile device and should reference the case number SP99433623.
