Summary
On August 30, 1992, the remains of an unidentified woman were discovered in Riverside County, California. The woman's skeletal remains were found concealed in brush at a turnout along Highway 95, approximately seven miles north of Blythe. Investigators estimated the woman was between 21 and 26 years old, and they documented clothing, tattoo details, and other identifying characteristics. The woman's death was determined to be a homicide.
Keith Hunter Jesperson, known as the “Happy Face Killer" confessed to killing the woman, telling investigators that he had met her while working as a long-haul truck driver. While Jesperson referred to the woman as “Claudia,” investigators were never able to confirm her real name.
The case went cold, and Claudia remained unidentified for more than three decades. Case details was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP7048.
In January 2022, investigators with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, working as part of the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team, submitted evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. At Othram, scientists successfully extracted DNA from the provided evidence. Using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®, the Othram team was able to develop a comprehensive SNP profile for the woman. This SNP profile was provided to law enforcement for a forensic genetic genealogy search. Investigators then worked to develop new investigative leads about Claudia's true identity.
While investigators were able to identify the woman's paternal relatives in 2025, a maternal connection was required to make the final identification. In the course of the investigation, a lead was received which pointed to the woman's maternal relatives. A DNA sample was collected from a potential relative and compared to Claudia's DNA profile, allowing investigators to positively identify the woman as Lydia Jane Wade McWhorter.
McWhorter disappeared from Texas in the 1990s and her family spent decades not knowing what happened to her. With her identification, Lydia's family will be able to appropriately honor her life and lay her to rest.
Keith Jesperson pleaded guilty to Lydia’s murder in Riverside County in January of 2010. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison and is currently serving multiple life sentences in Oregon. The identification of Lydia marks the last open case associated with the murders for which Jesperson was convicted.
This is the 91st publicly announced case in the State of California where investigators have used Othram's technology to identify an individual. Learn about other cases 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.