Summary

In March 2013, the skeletal remains of an unknown individual were found in Redding, California. Partial skeletal remains were found among blackberry bushes near the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District Canal by a crew of brush cutting workers. Law enforcement, including the Redding Police Department and the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, responded to the scene and launched a days-long search to investigate the area, but did not find any information that could identify the person.

After a thorough investigation, the Shasta County Coroner's Office determined that the skeletal remains belonged to a woman who was likely 4'10" to 5'4" tall and between the ages of 35 and 70 years old. Investigators could not determine when the woman died or how long the remains had been there, but estimated the remains had been hidden by the thick brush for several years. News reports at the time noted that the area was not a homeless encampment, but was frequented by transients and the remains of two other people had been found in the same area during the same time frame.

Despite a lengthy investigation, the woman remained unidentified for more than a dozen years. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP125610.

The Shasta County Coroner’s Office partnered with Othram to apply advanced forensic DNA testing in the case. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the woman. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement. Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the woman. Reference DNA samples were collected from a potential relative compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified woman. This investigation led to the positive identification of the woman, who is now known to be Velma Louise Silva Lee, of Napa, California.

Velma Lee was born in 1936 and, according to her family, had not been heard from for many years. A private investigator searched for Velma Lee. In 2003-2004, after unable to find proof of life, Velma Lee was declared legally deceased. Lee's family has been officially notified of her identification, and can finally provide a proper burial for Velma.

Funding for the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy used in this case was provided by NamUs, a national program that assists the criminal justice community with the investigation and resolution of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States and its territories. NamUs is funded and administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and is managed through a contract with Research Triangle Institute International. We are grateful for the support of RTI, NamUs, and the NIJ.

Individuals who have taken a consumer DNA test can aid ongoing forensic investigations by joining the DNASolves database. Expanding the pool of available DNA profiles increases the likelihood of successful identifications, helping to reunite families with their missing loved ones and resolve cases that have remained unsolved for years.

The identification of Velma Lee represents the 70th case in the State of California where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other California cases where your support can help bring long-awaited answers to families.