Summary
On January 19, 1974, the partially buried body of an unidentified young woman was discovered in an open desert area of Desert Hot Springs, California. Despite investigative efforts over the years, including comparisons of fingerprints and dental records, investigators were unable to establish the woman's identity. The case remained unresolved for decades. Details were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP7144.
In 2024, the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team revisited the investigation as advances in forensic science provided new opportunities to identify unidentified victims. Skeletal samples from the victim were collected by the Riverside County Coroner's Office and submitted to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas for advanced DNA analysis.
At Othram, scientists succefully extracted DNA from the provided remains and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® (FGGS™) to develop a comprehensive DNA profile for the woman. The resulting profile provided investigators with the data needed to pursue new investigative leads. A subsequent forensic genetic genealogy search was conducted by a Regional Cold Case Homicide Team genealogist, who identified a potential connection to a close relative in California.
Investigators contacted the relative, who voluntarily provided a DNA sample for comparison. The DNA comparison was conducted by the California Department of Justice's Missing and Unidentified Persons Section, establishing the victim's identity as Rebecca Jean McMahan. Rebecca was also known as "Becky McMahan" and "Becky Solis."
Rebecca was 19 years old when she disappeared. Her family reported her missing on July 3, 1973, after she was last seen on June 11, 1973, in Bell Gardens, California. Rebecca had told others that she planned to travel to Palm Springs for a vacation. Before her disappearance, she was known to have lived in Bellingham, Washington, as well as various areas in California.
Rebecca was described as a Caucasian female with long brown hair and hazel eyes. She was approximately 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed between 120 and 145 pounds. She had a tattoo bearing the initials "SS" on her ankle and a butterfly tattoo on the right side of her chest.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about Rebecca or the circumstances surrounding her death to come forward by contacting Investigator Ebony Caviness at 951-955-0257 or by email at coldcaseunit@rivcoda.org.
This case represents the 87th publicly-announced case in California where investigators have leveraged Othram's technology to identify an individual. Learn more by visiting Othram's website.
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.