Summary
On March 22, 1995, partial skeletal remains were discovered in a riverbed east of Rogge Lane on Highway 129 in Santa Cruz County, California. Initially, investigators believed the remains belonged to a homestead burial and were of historical origin rather than being linked to a modern missing persons case. Investigators later conducted radiocarbon dating on the remains. The results indicated that the individual was likely born between 1964 and 1967, with an estimated date of death between 1977 and 1984.
This finding reclassified the case as an active forensic investigation, shifting focus toward identifying the young woman. The unidentified young woman was estimated to have been between 13 and 17 years old at the time of her death, standing between 5’1” and 5’7”, with brown hair and possible European ancestry. Details of the case were entered into NamUs as UP14233.
Recognizing the potential for forensic genetic genealogy to resolve the case, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and the California Departmemnt of Justice teamed with Othram in 2022 to conduct advanced forensic DNA testing. Using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®, Othram’s scientists were able to sequence DNA from the degraded remains, generating a comprehensive DNA profile. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile to generate new investigative leads in the case.
Investigators used the leads in a follow up investigation to track down living relatives of the unknown woman and eventually confirmed her identity as Laura Ann O’Malley. Laura went missing from New York at the age of 13 in August of 1975. Although the circumstances of her disappearance remain unclear, her identification marks a crucial step in resolving her case. Investigators are now working to piece together the details of her life and the events that led to her discovery in the Santa Cruz County riverbed. Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office dispatch at 831-471-1121.
This case was worked as part of Othram's Project 525 initiative. Project 525, launched on May 23, 2024 in collaboration with RTI, which manages the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), aims to bring resolution to five hundred twenty-five juvenile cases published in NamUs.
The identification of Laura Ann O’Malley represents the 57th case in California where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram.
Dan Miller
Director of Customer Service
Dan guides law enforcement agencies across the United States and internationally through every step of the forensic process—from crime scene to courtroom. He ensures investigators have the support and resources they need to navigate advanced DNA testing and maximize the impact of forensic evidence in their cases.