Summary
In August 2018, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in a pond located in a Stockton, California field. Officers responded to the scene in the area of West Eight Mile and North Rio Blanco roads in the Bear Creek District. Investigators determined that the remains were that of a female, between the ages of 25 and 50. The woman’s body was severely decomposed, but investigators estimated that she was about 5’8” tall and weighed about 90 lbs. Several articles of clothes were found, including a shoe, a size 9.5 cork wedge sandal for the left foot. Investigators also discovered a copper-colored braided ring.
The case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP52688. Despite the exhaustive efforts of law enforcement, the woman’s identity remained a mystery for several years.
In 2022, the Stockton Police Department, the San Joaquin County Office of the Medical Examiner and the California Department of Justice partnered with Othram to determine if advanced forensic DNA testing could help establish an identity for the woman. Skeletal evidence was sent to Othram's lab, where Othram’s forensic scientists developed a DNA extract and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown woman. In addition, Othram’s in-house genealogy team used forensic genetic genealogy to produce investigative leads, which were returned to law enforcement. The casework completed at Othram was funded by the Roads to Justice (RTJ) program; we are grateful for the funding support in this case and previous cases.
Using these leads, investigators were able to confirm the identification of the woman as Jaymie Renee West, who was born September 21, 1989. West, who was reported missing in 2018, was listed on NamUs as a MP61521.
The identification of West is the 53rd publicly-announced case in the State of California where officials have utilized technology developed by Othram to solve a case. Visit DNASolves to learn about other California cases.
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.