Investigators seek help identifying a woman found in Kilgore after 24 years
KILGORE, Texas (KETK) – Investigators are seeking help to identify a Jane Doe who has remained unidentified since December 2000.
Investigative Genetic Genealogists with the DNA Doe project are currently working to identify the woman who was found over 24 years ago in a wooded area five miles northeast of Kilgore.
Former East Texas teacher celebrates 100th birthday in Tyler
Investigators believe she would have been around 30 to 50-years-old, between 4'10' and 5'3' tall and weighing 115 pounds. Investigators also believe that the woman was dead for up to two years before she was found in 2000.
The DNA Doe Project began working on this case in the fall of 2021, which was previously worked on by the team at Parabon Nanolabs. The case was taken on by a group of four genetic genealogists and six support staff members.
Investigators have worked to build a family tree based off the woman's DNA. Investigators' research on the woman's DNA has been hindered due to many of her distant relatives being adopted and her heritage being 100% Amerindian.
Lance Daly spoke about how Jane Doe's heritage has made it difficult for investigators to discover her identity.
Tyler ISD elementary students get artsy ahead of Big Art Day
'It's a tough road building a family tree that traces back to Central America – the records are hard to access and the databases we use don't have a lot of matches we can work with,' Daly said. We need more people of Guatemalan and Central American heritage to upload DNA profiles to GEDmatch, FamilyTreeDNA and DNAJustice.'
In 2021, a facial reconstruction along with a phenotyping analysis of the DNA was conducted. The reconstruction aligns with the observations made by authorities at the time her remains were recovered.
Courtesy of NamUs.
Team Co-leader and Indigenous Liaison for the DNA Doe Project Trish Bird said that they must find some kind of match in the database to be able to identify the woman.
'Someone out there is missing this woman,' Bird said. 'We won't give up our work to bring her home to her family and community, but we need to see that close relative match in the database to find her name'
Anyone who may have any information about this woman is encouraged to reach out to the DNA Doe Project at case-tips@dnadoeproject.org.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Diddy's ex's testimony could provide powerful corroboration to allegations in sex crimes trial: expert
Sean "Diddy" Combs' ex-girlfriend took the stand Monday and testified for the third day in the rapper's federal trial for sex crimes. His ex, who testified under the pseudonym "Jane," told prosecutors that there were times she felt coerced into hotel nights with Diddy and that the Bad Boy Records founder still pays for both her legal fees and rent. Jane recalled alleged instances of abuse while dating Diddy on and off for three years and up until the week before he was arrested in New York City on federal charges. Jennifer Beidel, a former assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York who now practices at Dykema, told Fox News Digital that Jane's testimony may be "powerful" to the jury. "Jane Doe commented on the consistency between her experience and that of Cassie Ventura after she read Ventura's civil lawsuit," Beidel said. "If the jury also finds the two women's experiences similar, Jane Doe's testimony becomes powerful corroboration of Ventura's testimony. Adding in the voice memos could lend even more credence to the two women's accounts, as those voice memos are evidence of Mr. Combs' views at the time in his own words." Jane told the court that Diddy asked her about coercion after he allegedly forced her to take drugs before having sex with a male escort. She testified about Diddy's alleged violent behavior and said he once put her in a chokehold after kicking and punching her. The jury was shown video evidence of Jane's injuries, which included a bruised eye and welts on her forehead. Texts shown in federal court on Monday between Diddy and Jane revealed that she felt manipulated and wanted monetary income. The rapper allegedly texted Jane back, "F--- you." Jane allegedly told Diddy, "You're the only opportunist ... you had three years of fun with my body ... you were a full time job and consumed my life." The "Last Night" rapper allegedly texted back that he was blocking Jane's number and also calling the police. "You conned me into sucking d--- for you," Jane allegedly texted. After several texts, she wrote, "I'm going to kill myself." "Early in the trial, the prosecutors introduced extensive evidence to support their theory that Combs used violence and threats of violence to coerce Ventura into engaging in sexual activity," former federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow told Fox News Digital. "However, the prosecution's evidence of Jane Doe's alleged coercion centers more on emotional manipulation than violence. That could prove to be a weakness for the prosecution case because Jane's evidence was introduced later in the trial, closer to when the jurors will deliberate." Mark Chuktow, who now practices at Dykema, added, "As a result, it might dilute the impact of Ventura's earlier testimony because Jane's evidence is less clear-cut regarding whether Combs coerced her to engage in sexual activity. To counter this, the prosecutors might put more weight in closing arguments on the evidence that Combs blackmailed both women into complying with his sexual demands through threats of destroying their reputations and careers by publicly exposing the video recordings of their participation in the freak-offs. "Blackmail like this might resonate more with the jury than Combs' emotional manipulation of Jane when deciding whether or not the victims consented to the sexual activity." In court, Jane testified that after fleeing from the "All About the Benjamins" rapper during an alleged violent encounter, she returned to the home and claimed she was on the patio when she allegedly punched Diddy around his temple on his forehead. He allegedly retaliated by punching Jane in the head twice in the forehead and eye area. She told the court she retreated to a deep part of the backyard, fell and curled up in a ball to cover her head and face while Diddy allegedly continued to punch and kick her. He allegedly said Jane was trying to take him away from his kids and family. Diddy then allegedly grabbed Jane by the hair and her arm and dragged her back into the house, saying she was "f---ing crazy." She claimed to keep asking him to leave. "Jane's testimony is more of the same in regards to the defendant's conduct, and it certainly does not paint a good picture of Mr. Combs," Los Angeles litigator John J. Perlstein told Fox News Digital. "It is hard to say whether or not the jury is numb to it all. However, they are unlikely to be shocked by Jane's testimony given what everyone else has said thus far. "This trial is a lengthy process for jurors, and recordings and videos of the testimonies typically fare better than readings." Jane also testified to being with Diddy when she saw the video of the rapper assaulting Cassie Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel in 2016. Diddy was with his friends and family in May 2024 when she was invited to a "huddle," where she remembered the group trying to come up with a form of a sincere apology post regarding the video. She told the court that she never heard the "Victory" rapper deny he was the one in the video assaulting Cassie. Jane testified that Diddy showed her a final draft of what he would say, and she understood he would post it on social media. She said she thought the message was heartfelt. Jane claimed they eventually talked about the video in June or July 2024. Diddy allegedly told her that was the only time he and Cassie had physical violence. Diddy allegedly told Jane that Cassie "was a hitter." WATCH: SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS ASSAULTS CASSIE VENTURA IN 2016 HOTEL INCIDENT Attorney Christopher Melche told Fox News Digital, "Jane testified about horrific acts of abuse in the relationship similar to what Cassie experienced, but what was unique about her testimony today is that Jane is still having her rent paid for by Diddy to this very day, and they continued their relationship right up to the time that he was arrested, so I'm not sure how the jury is going to reconcile all of these horrible things that happened to her and how her rent is being paid and accepted right 'til now." In a federal indictment unsealed on Sept. 17, Diddy was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison. He has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, where witnesses have testified to alleged rape, sexual assault, severe physical abuse, forced labor and drug trafficking. The trial is expected to wrap up by July 4.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Court Sentences Mexican ‘Narcotrafficker' To 20 Years In Prison
A court has sentenced a major Mexican drug trafficker with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel to 20 years in prison. 41-year-old Jorge Humberto Perez Cazares – or 'Cadete' – was a 41-year-old 'leader and organizer of a transnational drug trafficking organization' from Sinaloa, Mexico, according to a June 9 press release. He shipped 'multiple tons' of cocaine into Mexico for distribution in Los Angeles, California. Cazares 'worked with a close affiliate of the co-leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.' 'This sentence marks the downfall of a trafficker who fueled violence and addiction on both sides of the border,' said Jose Perez, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division, in a release. 'The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to target the command structure of these cartels and dismantle their operations.' American police targeted Cazares' L.A.-based distribution network, raiding three 'stash houses' – seizing $1.4 million and more than 70 kg of cocaine – in February 2014, according to the release. Close to that time, Cazares 'personally negotiated' a $23 million cocaine deal with a Guatemalan drug trafficker. Just 'days later,' Guatemalan police arrested Cazares while he was in a truck with 514 kg of cocaine, the release said. He was known for using 'violence to protect his narcotics shipments.' Due to a 'provisional arrest warrant' from America, police arrested Cazares again in Mexico in June 2016. 'Jorge 'Cadete' Perez Cazares wasn't just moving multi-ton quantities of cocaine — he was fueling a criminal empire. Perez Cazares funneled substantial amounts of narcotics into the United States and profited off the pain of addiction,' said Robert Murphy, acting administrator of the DEA, in the release. 'The government proved he was no middleman — he was a leader. And now, justice is delivering a sentence worthy of the destruction he caused.' Cazares was extradited to the U.S. in July 2021, according to the release. In April 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of 'conspiracy to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States.' The FBI's Washington Field Office investigated the case, while DEA Miami and DEA Guatemala 'provided critical assistance,' according to the release. Cazares' case is part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to 'repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.' Federal officials recently charged a father and son, who operated a South Texas oil business, with supporting the violent 'Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación' (CJNG), as The Dallas Express reported at the time. Also recently, Customs and Border Protection officers seized multiple large cocaine shipments at the Texas-Mexico border. Texas was among the states with the most Mexican cartel presence in 2024, as The Dallas Express previously reported. Cartels including Sinaloa, Los Zetas, Los Caballeros Templarios, the Beltran-Leyva Organization, and CJNG have historically operated in the DFW metroplex.
The Hill
8 hours ago
- The Hill
Mexican police kill 4 gunmen, cross into Guatemala in dramatic border shootout
TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP) — Mexican state police killed four gunmen near the border with Guatemala, then pursued more suspects into that country in three armored police vehicles, where they engaged in a shootout in the streets of a border town. Authorities in both countries said Monday they were investigating. The rare case of Mexican law enforcement crossing the border into Guatemala on Sunday in La Mesilla was captured by onlookers in videos widely circulated online. With the border crossing a short distance in the background, armed men in ballistic vests and carrying rifles can be seen shouting at the open driver side door of a Chiapas state police armored vehicle. Suddenly, another such vehicle comes speeding through the border crossing from behind, scattering the armed men. The initial vehicle reverses back toward Mexico and a third armored police vehicle enters from a side street slamming a civilian vehicle into the side of the other armored police truck. Gunfire erupts with the police trucks and civilian vehicles getting hit by bullets. All the while, a Guatemalan military truck with a soldier in the turret, sits in the middle of the melee. It was the latest flare-up of violence along a section of the border that has become a flashpoint as rival Mexican drug cartels and their local affiliates battle for control of valuable smuggling routes for migrants, guns and drugs. Asked about the events, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that everything appeared to show that Mexican authorities entered Guatemala. 'They are investigating it and it is not all right that has happened,' she said. Chiapas state Gov. Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar criticized what he suggested were Guatemalan authorities protecting members of organized crime. His security chief, Oscar Aparicio Avendaño, told The Associated Press on Monday that police had used a drone to detect armed men crossing the border into Mexico. Police intercepted them, killing four, including a local gang leader. 'They try to cross (back to Guatemala) to evade justice and that's where we intercept them and there's the shooting,' Ramírez said. The police involved were part of a state police force called the Pakales, which have also been accused of wrongdoing. Across the border in Guatemala, authorities were cautious in their initial response. Guatemala Vice President Karin Herrera said Monday that the Guatemalan government was talking to Mexican authorities about what happened, 'but there are many things that must be confirmed.' Guatemala Defense Minister Henry Sáenz said none of the Guatemalan soldiers present in La Mesilla fired their weapons and that it remained under investigation. The stretch of the Mexico-Guatemala border has seen near continuous violence in the past two years as the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels battle for control. Last year, the violence spurred hundreds of Mexican residents to flee into Guatemala for safety. At other moments, towns have seen their power cut and cartel convoys parade through their communities. Sunday's shootout was occurring on a narrow street lined with businesses. Opening fire with the machine gun mounted on the Guatemalan military truck in such confines or against Mexican police could have also exacerbated the situation. For Arkel Benitez, a Guatemalan security analyst and lawyer, the problem is that what's visible in the videos circulating is, at best, passivity by Guatemalan police and soldiers and, at worst, collusion in the face of something that was an obvious threat to Guatemalan citizens. 'It's not about whether they followed protocol or not, it's more the doubt generated by a confluence of circumstances that gives the appearance of the (Guatemalan) police not being there to repel a border incursion,' he said. 'In the videos it appears the police are supporting these armed suspects.' ___ Associated Press writers Sara Melini in Guatemala City and Fabiola Sánchez in Mexico City contributed to this report. ____ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
