Summary

In April 2023, the partial remains of an unidentified individual were discovered by fisherman while walking on the beach in Moss Landing, California. Moss Landing is an unincorporated community on the coast in Monterey County. The fishermen found a jawbone with two teeth, later determined to be that of an unknown female. Traditional DNA testing was used to develop an STR profile, which was uploaded to CODIS in hopes that there would be a match to a known individual.

Efforts to identify the woman were unsuccessful despite the efforts of law enforcement. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP131072. With no matches to a known individual and limited information about the partial remains available, the woman’s identity was a mystery and she became known as Monterey County Jane Doe.

In 2025, the Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner Office assisted by the California DOJ Bureau of Forensic Services, teamed with Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man.

Othram scientists will develop a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and use Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile that can be used for forensic genetic genealogy analysis. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team will then use this profile to conduct extensive genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement to identify the woman.

A DNASolves® crowdfund has been established to cover the costs associated with this case, including lab supplies and research tools. To contribute, click here. You can also support forensic identifications by submitting your DNA profile to DNASolves, which aids in solving cases like this.