Summary

In February of 1993 the Fortuna Police Department contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office to report the discovery of a woman’s partial human skull found on the beach near Trinidad Head, a rocky structure found in California’s Trinidad Harbor. The discovery was made by a man who turned the skeletal remains to the Fortuna Police Department. A traditional DNA profile was developed from the skull and entered into both the California Missing Person DNA Database and National Unidentified Person DNA Index. The DNA profile was also searched against profiles from both missing persons and other human remains in the Combined DNA Index System. No match to a known individual was ever made and details of the case were entered into NamUs as UP55274.

In 2024, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received funding from U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, which was to be used to clear a backlog of unidentified human remains cases. Using these funds, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office submitted evidence to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to identify the woman. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the skeletal evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown woman. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genetic genealogy research to provide new investigative leads to law enforcement.

Several months later, Othram provided HCSO with new leads, including the possible identity of the woman whose partial skull was found in 1993. Investigators used this report to launch a follow-up investigation and locate a potential relative of the woman. The California Department of Justice compared the potential relative’s DNA profile to the DNA profile developed from the skull, which confirmed that the skull belonged to Kay Josephine Medin, who was reported missing in August of 1987.

Nickolas Medin, who died in 2018, reported to the Trinity County Sheriff’s office in that he had left on a business trip and when he returned home, Kay was gone. Kay’s purse and personal property were found at the residence. The Medin property was searched, and friends and family were contacted. Kay, who had no serious medical issues, was employed as a teacher at the Hyampom School. Kay’s boss was contacted and reported that she had been in good spirits. The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office listed Kay’s disappearance as suspicious.

Several months later in November of 1987, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) received a package in the US mail. The package contained skeletal remains and an anonymous letter. The letter gave directions leading to more human remains. The directions lead to a location near Ammon Ridge Road in Eastern Humboldt County. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Detectives responded to the location given in the letter and discovered additional human remains. These remains were later identified as belonging to Kay Medin through a comparison of dental records. While a death certificate was issued for Kay Medin in 1988, she remained listed as a missing person as there was not a complete body recovery.

This identification represents the 63rd case in the State of California where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram.