Summary
In September 2021, a hiker found a human skull while walking along the Chautauqua Rails to Trails near Woleben Road in Portland, NY. Portland is a small town between Buffalo and Erie along the coast of Lake Erie. An extensive search was organized and the remains of another woman were also found. The second woman’s remains were identified as 50-year-old Marquita Mull, who had been killed just three months earlier in 2021. In January of this year, Richard J. Fox, a 62-year-old registered sex offender, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder for Mull’s death.
Investigators were unable to determine the identity of the other woman, but were able to conclude she died at least 10 years before she was found. With few leads to go on, the woman's identity was a mystery and she became known as Portland New York Jane Doe.
In 2024, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office sent forensic evidence to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas in hopes that advanced DNA testing could help identify the Jane Doe. Othram scientists produced a suitable DNA extract from the skeletal remains. A comprehensive DNA profile was then developed for the woman using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®. Othram's forensic genetic genealogy team the conducted a genealogical search that resulted in new leads, which were provided to law enforcement.
Othram's casework costs associated with the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy completed in this case were provided by dedicated funding allocated by U.S. Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY). We are grateful to Congressman Langworthy for recognizing the need for this technology and securing the funding for the crucial project.
A follow-up investigation led to potential relatives of the woman. A potential relative provided a DNA sample, which was compared to the unknown woman’s DNA profile using KinSNP® Rapid Relationship Testing. As a result of the testing and follow-up investigation, the woman is now known to be Cassandra Watson, who would be 61 years old if she were still alive. Investigators believe she was killed between 2002 and 2004. She was never reported missing. Richard J. Fox has also been charged with second-degree murder for the death of Cassandra Watson.
The identification of Cassandra Watson is the 10th publicly announced case in New York where investigators used technology developed by Othram to identify an individual. To learn about other cases in New York, visit DNASolves
Michael Vogen
Director of Case Management
Michael works with law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada on “unsolvable“ cases that can benefit from advanced DNA testing methods. He helps these agencies use cutting edge DNA sequencing and new forensic techniques to develop investigative leads for their cases.