Summary
In March 2017, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a skull found in the Cascade Mountain foothills. A local resident's dogs brought the skull to their driveway, prompting an investigation. Despite search efforts, no additional remains were located. It was determined that the remains were that of White individual, whose biological sex was unknown. It was believed that the person was between the ages of 50 and 70 years. Little information about the unidentified person could be determined and they became known as Skagit County Doe.
In the course of the investigation, detectives learned that a vehicle had been impounded from private forest land approximately two years prior to the remains being found. While there was a report of sale listed for the vehicle, detectives were not able to contact the owner or the listed buyer. In an attempt to identify the individual, traditional DNA testing was conducted and an STR profile was developed; however, there was no match to any known individual.
Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP17105. Despite investigators’ efforts, the individual could not be identified and the case went cold. In 2023, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to finally identify the individual.
Forensic evidence was submitted to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas where DNA was extracted and used to build a comprehensive DNA profile using Forensic Grade Genome Sequencing®. Through this process, it was determined that the remains were that of a female. Othram genealogists used the profile in a forensic genetic genealogy search to provide new leads to law enforcement. These new leads fueled a follow-up investigation into the person’s identity. The costs associated with this case were fully funded through the Roads to Justice (RTJ) program.
A possible relative of Jane Doe, who resided in a southern US state, was identified. In an interview, the possible family member reported to investigators that their family member had moved to Washington. As a result of this investigation, Skagit County Doe is now positively identified as Kate Grey. Grey, who was born in 1970, told family that she was going to live with a community of others in the foothills in or near the national forest in Washington. Kate’s family was informed of the positive identification, and final arrangements for Kate are being made.
Kate Grey's identification represents the 35th case in the State of Washington where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. To read about other cases in Washington, 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.