Hunters found skeletal remains in 1979, California cops say. Now woman identified
More than 44 years after a couple hunting near a California highway stumbled on skeletal remains, they’ve been identified, deputies say.
The remains were identified as Wanda Lee Brewer, of Carson, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said in a May 16 news release posted on Facebook.
The hunters found the remains “in the area of (highway) 175 between the Lake and Mendocino county lines” on Sept. 18, 1979, deputies said.
Investigators learned the remains belonged to a woman, whose ancestry could not be determined, Othram Inc., the forensic genetic genealogy company that helped identify the woman, said in a news release.
The woman, who stood between 5 feet 1 inches and 5 feet 4 inches tall, was believed to be between 25 and 35 years of age at the time of her death, Othram said.
Despite a homicide investigation, deputies said “the case went cold,” leaving the identity of the remains a mystery.
The case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System in 2019, Othram said.
In their continued efforts to identify the remains, deputies said they worked with theCalifornia Department of Justice “to use emerging technology.”
Then, in March 2023, a representative with the department suggested deputies reach out to Othram to help identify the remains.
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 said its scientists built a “comprehensive DNA profile” for the woman.
This profile was used by its forensic genetic genealogy team to create investigative leads for the sheriff’s office, Othram said.
In January, deputies said Othram found a potential living relative of Jane Doe.
Sgt. Gary Frace spoke with the potential relative, however, it did not help positively identify the remains, according to deputies.
Months later, deputies said Othram found another potential relative, who told Frace “that their grandmother had two sisters, one of whom disappeared in the 1970s.”
Taking information from these two interviews, deputies said Frace found more potential relatives.
Following interviews and DNA testing, deputies said Jane Doe was identified as Brewer in April.
Deputies said the investigation is ongoing, adding that anyone with information about Brewer is asked to contact Sgt. Jeffrey Mora at Jeffrey.mora@lakecountyca.gov.
Lake County is about 110-mile drive northwest from Sacramento, and Carson is about a 20-mile drive south from Los Angeles.
This story was originally published May 16, 2024 at 3:40 PM with the headline "Hunters found skeletal remains in 1979, California cops say. Now woman identified."
