Summary
In June 2021, skeletal remains were discovered along County Road 225 in Wharton County, a rural area southwest of Houston, Texas. The Wharton County Sheriff’s Office, along with other law enforcement agencies, responded to the scene and launched an investigation. The remains were determined to belong to a teenage girl, estimated to be between 14 and 17 years old and approximately 4’8” to 5’2” in height. At the time of discovery, she was wearing a “Lilo and Stitch” t-shirt and was found with a watch and several rings. To aid in identifying her, investigators commissioned a forensic artist to create a composite sketch of her likeness, which was widely distributed to the public.
Despite an exhaustive investigation, the girl could not be identified and became known as Wharton County Jane Doe (2021). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP82601.
In 2023, working with the Texas Rangers, the Wharton County Sheriff's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the young girl. 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 Jane Doe. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team began working to on the case, providing new investigative leads to investigators.
As the investigation continued, authorities received a tip from a woman searching for a missing relative. She voluntarily provided a DNA sample and a direct comparison to the profile of the unidentified person confirmed that the remains belonged to 16-year-old Yeimy Maciela Beltrand. Beltrand had been reported missing to the Houston Police Department by her mother on April 30, 2021. Investigators believe she was killed in Harris County and that her body was subsequently transported and left in neighboring Wharton County.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has now opened a homicide investigation. During the course of the inquiry, a witness came forward and reported seeing the teen’s boyfriend shoot her. In August, a murder charge was filed against the suspect, 27-year-old Luis Omar Beltran-Mendoza. However, he has not yet been apprehended and remains at large.
The casework costs associated with advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy at Othram were contributed by Project Justice, a philanthropic effort to reduce the backlog of unsolved cases. We are grateful for this funding which allowed us to assist law enforcement in working this case.
Individuals who have taken a consumer DNA test can support ongoing forensic investigations by uploading their DNA data to the DNASolves database. This is especially important in cases where the unidentified person may come from a biogeographical background that is underrepresented in existing genetic genealogy databases.
The identification of Yeimy Beltrand represents the 23rd case in the State of Texas where officials have publicly identified an individual in collaboration with Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other Texas cases where your support can help bring long-awaited answers to families.
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.