07-05-2025
Skull found on beach in 1993 identified as woman who vanished in 1987, CA cops say
National Skull found on beach in 1993 identified as woman who vanished in 1987, CA cops say
Nickolas Medin, who died in 2018, reported his wife, Kay Medin, missing to Trinity County Sheriff's Office on Aug. 3, 1987, deputies said.
Photo from Humboldt County Sheriff's Office
A skull found on a California beach in 1993 has been identified as that of a woman who was reported missing in 1987, deputies said.
Using DNA testing, the remains were identified as Kay Josephine Medin, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office said in a May 6 news release.
Wife reported missing
Nickolas Medin, who died in 2018, reported his wife, Kay Medin, missing to the Trinity County Sheriff's Office on Aug. 3, 1987, deputies said.
He told deputies that when he returned from a business trip, he learned his wife was gone, the sheriff's office said.
Investigators searched the Medin property and spoke to friends, family and her doctor, who said 'she had no serious medical issues,' deputies said.
At the time of her disappearance, Kay Medin was a teacher at Hyampom School, and her boss told investigators she appeared to have 'been in good spirits,' deputies said.
Kay Medin's purse and other personal items were found inside the home, deputies said.
'The Trinity County Sheriff's Office listed her disappearance as suspicious,' deputies said.
Mysterious package
Months after Kay Medin was reported missing, deputies got an odd package in the mail on Nov. 25, 1987, the sheriff's office said.
'The package contained skeletal remains and an anonymous letter,' deputies said.
The letter directed deputies to where they could find additional human remains at an area in eastern Humboldt County, the sheriff's office said.
Deputies searched the area and found more remains, according to the sheriff's office.
Using dental records, deputies said the remains were identified as Kay Medin in 1988.
Though she was issued a death certificate, her missing persons case remained open, as not all her remains were found, according to deputies.
Skull found
Five years later, a man 'found a partial human skull on the beach near Trinidad Head' on Feb. 16, 1993, deputies said.
The man turned the remains over to Fortuna police, according to deputies.
After getting a DNA sample from the skull, investigators entered it into the California Missing Persons DNA Database and a national DNA database, deputies said.
The DNA profile was searched 'against profiles from both missing persons and other human remains in the Combined DNA Index System,' deputies said.
However, no match was ever found, deputies said.
Genetic genealogy to ID
Then, decades later, deputies said they partnered with Othram Inc. in hopes of identifying the remains using forensic genetic genealogy.
Genetic genealogy uses DNA testing coupled with 'traditional genealogical methods' to create 'family history profiles,' according to the Library of Congress. With genealogical DNA testing, researchers can determine if and how people are biologically related.
Othram's scientists built 'a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown woman,' the company said in a news release.
Using the profile, Othram then found new leads for investigators, the company said.
In a report, Othram said the skull may belong to Kay Medin and noted a possible daughter, deputies said.
Investigators found the daughter, who gave a DNA sample, deputies said.
Testing showed the skull belonged to Kay Medin, according to deputies.
Kay Medin's 'case is still open and considered a cold homicide,' deputies said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Mike Fridley at 707-441-3024.
Humboldt County is about a 310-mile drive northwest from Sacramento.
Daniella Segura
McClatchy DC Go to X Email this person
Daniella Segura is a national real-time reporter with McClatchy. Previously, she's worked as a multimedia journalist for weekly and daily newspapers in the Los Angeles area. Her work has been recognized by the California News Publishers Association. She is also an alumnus of the University of Southern California and UC Berkeley.
