Mojave County officials identify ‘Jane Doe’ found dead in desert
The woman’s remains were found in a remote area of northwest Arizona in the 1970s, and her name remained unknown for decades.
The Mojave County Sheriff’s Office says it now knows the identity of a woman who was found dead in rural northwest Arizona decades ago.
“Jane Doe” was discovered on January 23, 1971, in a desert area near a dirt road about 2.2 miles east of Highway 93.
The MCSO first reported on its efforts to identify women in 2021 when MCSO officials asked the public for help in resolving a backlog of cases.
read more: Sheriff’s Office crowdfunding for DNA study of woman found in corpse more than 50 years ago
MCSO officials partnered with a company called Osram in 2022 to determine whether “advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing” could help gain insight into the identities of women. An examination process began later in the day, and authorities have now identified the woman as Colleen Audrey Rice.
A partial statement released by the MCSO on January 24 reads, “A relative’s DNA test confirms this after countless hours of research into her family tree and contact with distant family relatives.” bottom.
Who is Colleen Audrey Rice?
Sketch of Colleen Audrey Rice. Her identity was still unknown at the time the sketch was created
According to MCSO officials, Rice was born on March 17, 1931, in Portsmouth, Ohio, about 100 miles southeast of Cincinnati, on the Ohio-Kentucky border. She married a man named William Davis in Ohio in 1946.
Officials said Rice was estranged from her family before her death, and as a result, little is known about her life or how she came to live in Arizona. Therefore, it was not possible to determine whether or not Rice had children.
Meanwhile, an investigation into Rice’s death is ongoing.
“MCSO continues to seek public assistance to provide information regarding the later years of the victim,” read part of the statement.
What is genetic genealogy?
Genetic genealogies have recently emerged from the arrest of a man linked to the Golden State Killer case. Brian Kohberger Arrested in relation to Murder of four University of Idaho students November 2022.
According to a research guide published in the Library of Congress, websitegenetic genealogy, in combination with traditional genealogical methods, uses DNA test results to profile biological relationships between or between individuals.
When it comes to criminal cases, investigators sometimes use what is known as forensic genetic genealogy, in which profiles of commonly occurring genetic variations between individuals, known as SNPs, are generated. That profile is then used to compare case samples to available profiles uploaded by other consenting individuals.
The generated investigative clues are later confirmed by additional DNA analysis and investigative work.
read more: What is a Genetic Family Tree?
Read more stories from Arizona
(Previously reported) Sheriff’s office crowdfunding for DNA investigation of woman found dead more than 50 years ago
