Latest news with #GenomeSequencing
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mysterious human skull found on NorCal beach identified
(KRON) — A forensic genetic genealogy team recently uncovered a mystery behind a partial human skull found on a beach in Northern California 32 years ago. The woman's skull was spotted near Trinidad Head, a rocky structure in Trinidad Harbor, in 1993. At the time, a traditional DNA profile was developed and entered into the National Unidentified Person DNA Index. No match was made. In 2024, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office submitted evidence to Othram's laboratory in Texas hoping that advanced DNA testing could identify the woman. Othram scientists developed a DNA extract from the skeletal evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a new DNA profile for the unknown woman. Several months later, Othram provided HCSO with new leads. 'Investigators used this report to launch a follow-up investigation and locate a potential relative. The California Department of Justice compared the relative's DNA profile to the DNA profile developed from the skull, which confirmed that the skull belonged to Kay Josephine Medin,' wrote. Kay Medin also went by the name Kay Adams. She was reported missing in August of 1987 after she vanished from her home in Trinity County. Medin worked as a school teacher in Hyampom, and her boss said she was in good spirits the last time he saw her. Trinidad Head beach (Getty Images / File) The Trinity County Sheriff's Office listed Kay's disappearance as suspicious. 'In November of 1987, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received a package in the US mail. The package contained skeletal remains and an anonymous letter. The letter gave directions leading to more human remains. The directions lead to a location near Ammon Ridge Road in Humboldt County. Detectives responded to the location given in the letter and discovered additional human remains, about 45 miles west of her home. These remains were later identified as belonging to Kay Medin through a comparison of dental records,' wrote. Fingerprint on cigarette pack leads to break in San Jose cold case homicide A death certificate was issued for Kay Medin in 1988 while her skull was still missing. 'It is unclear how the majority of her remains were found 45 miles from her home or how her skull was found almost 100 miles away,' wrote. Today, her death remains an unsolved homicide cold case. Kristen Mittelman, chief development officer for Othram labs, said, 'We're proud to be able to help investigators give these victims their names back, and hopefully move the investigation forward toward resolution. That's the most important thing.' Anyone with information that could help solve this cold case is encouraged to call the Humboldt Sheriff's Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
1997 WA cold case victim identified; Gary Ridgway not ruled out
The Brief Laurie Krage's remains, found in Washington in 1997, were identified nearly 30 years after her death through advanced DNA tech. She was never reported missing, and her alleged husband died of natural causes in 2020. Detectives are investigating her murder, and they are not yet ruling out the possibility of notorious serial killer Gary Ridgway. PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. - Deputies recently identified human remains, found nearly 30 years ago in Pierce County, as those of Laurie Krage. Now, the public is getting a closer look at how modern DNA technology brought a 1997 cold case back into an active homicide investigation. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office announced the update to the case on social media Tuesday, asking anyone with information about Krage between 1995 and 1997 to contact the department. This marks the 37th case that scientists at Othram Inc. have helped solve in Washington state. The backstory On Oct. 13, 1997, a mushroom picker stumbled upon the skeletal remains of a woman while walking through the woods in Wilkeson, a small town southeast of Seattle. The remains were found along Gale Creek Road, about nine miles from Wilkeson School, south of Buckley. According to Othram, Pierce County detectives determined the remains belonged to a woman between the ages of 20 and 50 who stood about 5 feet 5 inches tall. She was wearing a dark blue, long-sleeved sweatshirt with a Pacific Lutheran University basketball logo and the word "LUTES" on it. She also had size 7 Union Bay blue jeans on and white Reebok tennis shoes in size 4½. "Her remains were found in an area that she was not known to frequent, and about nine and a half miles away from any major city or town," said PCSO Public Information Officer Deputy Carly Cappetto. "The remains appeared to be in a condition that would resemble a homicide." Investigators could not identify the woman, and she became known as Pierce County Jane Doe. In 2009, the case was added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Dig deeper Twenty-six years later, the PCSO submitted forensic evidence to Othram in Texas to see if its advanced DNA lab could help identify Jane Doe. Scientists at Othram were able to extract DNA from the forensic evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to create a detailed genealogical profile of the unidentified woman. The company's forensic genetic genealogy team then used the profile to conduct research, generating new leads for law enforcement. Using those new leads, a follow-up investigation linked potential relatives to Pierce County Jane Doe. Reference DNA samples were collected, and Othram compared the DNA from potential relatives to Jane Doe's profile, ultimately identifying her as Laurie Kay (Lester) Krage, born Dec. 17, 1959. What they're saying "Something like this is heartbreaking for a family to go through, but I do think it's important to know the truth in order to be able to move forward," said Kristen Mittelman, chief development officer at Othram. "We're proud to work with law enforcement, because they're out there every day working to provide answers for families and get some resolution." What we know Laurie Krage would have been 36 years old when she died. Deputies say she moved around frequently in the Pierce County area and was known to frequent Lakewood, Kent and the Emerald Queen area. "Now that we've determined that this is in fact Laurie, we are starting from the ground up on a homicide investigation" PCSO Deputy Carly Cappetto. Records indicate she was married to Ronald Martin, who died of natural causes in 2020. "It's known she was married for a few years prior to her disappearance," said Cappetto. "Unfortunately, the alleged husband that she was married to … he died of natural causes in 2020, so we don't have anybody really left to really ask questions." The PCSO says Laurie has living family members, and detectives have been in contact with them in hopes of solving the homicide and bringing closure to the family. What we don't know FOX 13 Seattle asked the Pierce County Sheriff's Office whether Laurie Krage may have been a victim of infamous Washington state serial killer Gary Ridgway, since she likely died during the time he was actively killing. According to deputies, it's possible — but not certain. "Nothing is off the table for her being missing, and now that there are circumstances around the remains that were found that would lead us to believe that this is, in fact, a homicide case, nothing is off the table," said Cappetto. Deputies said there could be several reasons why Laurie was not properly reported missing to authorities, ranging from a possible falling out with friends and family members to people not knowing how to properly file a missing person's report. "There had been some media on her years ago — about, you know, approximately 28 years ago — on her disappearance in the area, but nobody ever reported her missing," said Cappetto. "So no family members, or the alleged husband that she married, had reported her missing. So, there are some unique, interesting factors around her disappearance." The PCSO is asking anyone in Pierce County and beyond who may have known her to come forward and provide insight into what her life was like. "We are starting from the very bottom, just to try to figure out who she was, where she liked to frequent, where she traveled, or even where she stayed and lived," said Cappetto. "At this point, we are just gathering information to go ahead and hopefully solve a homicide case." What you can do Anyone who has information about Laurie is asked to contact the PCSO. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by visiting or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The Source Information in this story came from the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, an interview with PCSO Public Information Officer Deputy Carly Cappetto and a press release by Othram Inc. Seattle driver plummets off multi-story parking garage, 77-year-old rescued Thousands attend Seattle 'Hands Off!' rally against Trump, Elon Musk Tacoma police shoot, kill carjacking suspect Saturday afternoon Sue Bird named to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Trump tariffs live updates: Global markets plunge as countries scramble to respond USPS mail delivery changes begin: Here's what to know To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘Marin County Jane Doe' identified after six decades of mystery
(KRON) — A body that was found on a Tiburon cliff in 1966 by a hunter was recently identified after six decades of mystery. The red-haired woman, who was called 'Marin County Jane Doe' while her identity was unknown, was wearing a red cotton dress and a white trench coat when she died, according to Using advanced DNA testing and samples stored by the Marin County Sheriff's Office, investigators at Othram's laboratory in Texas determined that her name was Dorothy Jean Williams, wrote. Williams was found deceased by a hunter who alerted authorities on December 18, 1966. Her cause of death was never determined. The case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Through the initial investigation, investigators learned that a woman who matched 'Marin County Jane Doe's' description was seen at a fire station three months before the body was found. 'At the station, the woman stated that she was stranded and had no money for a taxi. After asking if she could sleep at the fire station, firefighters refused, and the woman walked away,' wrote. In 2022, the Marin County Sheriff's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram's laboratory, where scientists created a DNA profile using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing. The DNA led to relatives of Williams. 'Dorothy was buried at Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery and Mortuary in San Rafael, California prior to her identification,' wrote. Her married name was Dorothy Jean Vaillancourt and she was born in Tasmania. Kristen Mittelman, chief development officer for Othram, said, 'From the perspective of the family of this woman, she just disappeared, and they may have thought they'd never know where she went. It doesn't matter how old a case is, or whether it was hopeless in the past, there is technology here today that works, and it is able to give answers to a lot of families.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
