Summary

In January 1990, a human skull was found near a creek bank between Geary and El Reno, two small rural communities along the I-40 interstate corridor just west of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Canadian County Sheriff's Office responded and began investigating and collecting evidence. A thorough search of the surrounding area led to the recovery of additional skeletal remains. Investigators determined the remains belonged to a White woman, estimated to be between 18 and 35 years old, and likely deceased for months or years.

Investigators found several pieces of clothing at the scene, including tan Chaus brand slacks (size 9/10), a white collared shirt and a baseball-style cap. A woman’s ring was also discovered nearby. However, due to the advanced state of decomposition and limited forensic capabilities at the time, traditional identification methods were unsuccessful and the case went cold. In 2010, her case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP6554.

In 2023, the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner partnered with Othram where scientists determined that advanced DNA testing could help to identify the woman. Despite the evidence being very degraded, Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the woman. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.

Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the woman. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified woman. This investigation led to the positive identification of the woman, who is now known to be Joann Marie Rozelle, who was 29 years old when she went missing in 1989.

Rozelle was last seen in the parking lot of the bowling alley Meridian Lanes in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on June 14, 1989. In 2003, she was declared legally dead by her son. Individuals with information about Joann Rozelle are asked to contact the Oklahoma City Police Department at (405) 297-1197.

A portion of Othram's casework costs associated with the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy completed in this case were contributed by donors through a DNASolves® crowdfund. We are grateful to everyone that helped crowdfund this case and other DNASolves cases. The remaining cost of Othram's casework was paid by NamUs, a national program that assists the criminal justice community with the investigation and resolution of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States and its territories. NamUs is funded and administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and is managed through a contract with Research Triangle Institute International. We are grateful for the support of RTI, NamUs, and the NIJ as well as to those who helped crowdfund this case and other DNASolves cases.

The identification of Joann Marie Rozelle represents the 2nd case in the State of Oklahoma where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other Oklahoma cases where your support can help bring long-awaited answers to families.