Summary
In February 1967, the unidentified remains of an individual were discovered in Sonoma County, California. The remains were found at the bottom of a cliff north of Jenner, a small town located on the Pacific coast. It was determined that the remains were that of a white female who was estimated to be between the ages of 40 and 46 years old at her time of death. The woman was between 5' 2" and 5' 4" tall. She wore a long-sleeved white blouse that buttoned down the back and light-colored pants. It was determined that the woman likely died the prior year, and her manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Despite investigators’ attempts, the woman could not be identified and she became known as Sonoma County Jane Doe. A forensic composite was developed and released to the public in hopes that it would generate new leads about her identity. There was no match, and the woman was buried at the County of Sonoma Cemetery. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP102119. 
In 2022, the California Department of Justice, in collaboration with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, submitted forensic evidence to Othram, in hopes that advanced DNA testing could assist with the identification of the woman. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown woman. Othram’s in-house genealogy team used the DNA profile in a forensic genetic genealogy search to produce new investigative leads, which were returned to investigators. Funding for the advanced DNA testing in this case was provided by the Roads to Justice (RTJ) program.
Using these new leads, law enforcement conducted a follow-up investigation. This follow-up investigation led to relatives of the unidentified woman. Sonoma County Jane Doe is now known to be Lillian Marie Cardenas, who was born in 1928. Cardenas’ last known residence was in San Francisco. She had been estranged from her family prior to her death. The investigation into Cardenas' death is ongoing and updates will be shared as they become available.
Investigators ask for anyone with information on Cardenas to dial 707-565-2727 or email officials at sheriff-coldcase@sonoma-county.org.
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.