Summary
In February of 1988, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found by a horseback rider near Parker Bridge Rd / Sunnyside Dam near the unincorporated town of Parker in Yakima County, Washington. The Yakima County Sheriff's Office responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. They determined the remains were an adult woman whose remains had been there 4 to 10 months. It was determined that the woman was 30 to 45 years old and stood 4'11" to 5'1" tall. She had black or dark brown hair with bleached light brown hair in front. The woman was found with lavender pants and a long-sleeved shirt with Mexican label, brown bowling-type shoes, one with a white sole and one with a black sole. 
The Yakima County Sheriff's Office launched an extensive investigation to identify the woman, including releasing several composite photos of what the woman would have looked like when she was alive. Despite a lengthy investigation, the woman could not be identified and became known as Parker Doe (1988). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP16335.
This year, the Yakima County Sheriff's Office and the King County Medical Examiner's office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the woman. 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 to begin to develop new investigative leads.
In the course of the wider investigation, detectives re-considered people who went missing during that era and were led to potential relatives of the woman. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and 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 31-year-old Rosa Elia Vargas Jimenez Everts from Toppenish, Washington. She was reported missing to the Toppenish Police in August of 1987.
On August 6th, 1987, Rosa Everts (AKA: Rosia Evers) was reported missing by a former roommate. The roommate hadn't seen her since December 1986 and believed she had returned to California until being told by a family member that Everts was not in California and had not been in communication with family. Over the years that followed, multiple officers and detectives worked on solving the disappearance of Rosa Everts. A missing person case was entered into NamUs as MP75229 with the name "Rosia Evers" in November of 2020. Several possibilities were investigated, including that Everts' disappearance could be related to the "Parker Doe" unidentified human remains case; however, there was no conclusive evidence at that time.
The investigation into the homicide of Rosa Everts continues and anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to contact the Yakima County Sheriff's Office cold case unit at (509) 833-2240.
Critical funding to enable forensic genetic genealogy testing in this case was made possible by Governor Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and the Washington State Legislature. We are so grateful for their support in providing this funding.
"Our office takes great pride in the work of the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and People Cold Case Investigations Unit to help the investigation that led to the DNA results in this case,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. "While the results bring some answers, we understand that the criminal investigation is still ongoing, and our hearts go out to Ms. Everts' family and loved ones."
"...our hearts go out to [her] family and loved ones."The identification of Rosa Everts represents the 42nd case in the State of Washington where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other Washington 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.