SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Thanks to advanced DNA technology, law enforcement has solved a 12-year-old case. Authorities now say the unidentified human remains — discovered more than a decade ago — belong to Velma Louise Silva Lee of Napa.
Lee was born in 1936 and had been missing for years.
Advanced DNA technology opened the door and shed light on a case that has stumped investigators for more than a decade.
The mystery surrounding a human skull found in Redding 12 years ago has finally been solved. The family of one woman now has some answers.
“This person’s name was finally realized after many many years and that is Velma Lee,” said Colby Laysone, with Othram.
The company says it specializes in forensic genetic genealogy to resolve unsolved murders, disappearances, and identification.
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Redding police say work crews first found the human remains near the Anderson Cottonwood Irrigation canal buried in some blackberry bushes.
The Shasta County Corner’s Office said it was a female skull, but they had no idea who it was.
“Jane Doe” was an unsolved puzzle for 12 years – until Othram got involved a few months ago.
“We operate a forensic lab that assists in the identification of these individuals,” said Laysone.
ABC7 News talked to Laysone about how scientists used advanced forensic DNA testing to solve the case.
“We built that DNA profile from the skeletal remains. It was uploaded to genealogy databases where individuals have consented to allow law enforcement to use their information to solve crimes,” said Laysone.
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Scientists found a possible identity and after contacting possible relatives and even further DNA testing, they positively determined the remains belonged to Velma Louise Silva Lee of Napa.
The identification of Lee makes the 70th case in California where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram.
“We are so, so thankful for playing a role in identifying Velma Lee so that her family and law enforcement all have answers now,” said Laysone.
Laysone says DNA evidence is a powerful clue in solving many mysteries.
“It allows family to have answers and law enforcement to have answers,” said Laysone.
“There are tens of thousands of unidentified people whose remains are sitting in morgues are sitting on shelves waiting to be identified, stories to be closed, families to be mended. Othram is so grateful to have a part in any of these cases,” said Laysone.
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