SANTA ANA, CA: Orange County Sheriff’s investigators have released an updated forensic rendering of a 2014 Jane Doe in an effort to identify the woman and possibly generate new leads on her homicide case.
In January 2014, unidentified female remains were found in Casper’s Wilderness Park (rural southeast Orange County). Based on the preliminary investigation, it was estimated the remains may have been exposed to the elements for a period of at least six months. After preliminary testing, it was determined the remains were of a petite female at least 30 years old, shoulder-length wavy dark brown hair with light-colored highlights. The decedent had a very distinct gold-colored dental bridge on her lower left jaw and possibly had a broken nose at some point in her life. She was found with a dark-blue jacket with a volleyball or water polo logo on the left chest, and “Coach Williams” on the right chest.
In December 2015, a CT scan of the decedent’s skull and mandible was completed. The images captured from the CT scan were given to a forensic artist for facial reconstruction purposes. In March 2016, photos of Jane Doe’s appearance based on an artist’s facial reconstruction rendering were given to Sheriff’s investigators.
Beginning in 2020, investigators made several attempts to develop a genetic profile from Jane Doe’s DNA samples. These attempts were not successful. In 2023, investigators partnered with Ramapo College of New Jersey’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center to try again using a DNA sample from Jane Doe’s tooth. The sample was sent to Intermountain Forensics, a private lab based in Salt Lake City. This attempt was successful, and based on the new genetic information, investigators believe Jane Doe is of primarily Latin American descent. Investigative genetic genealogy will be conducted on Jane Doe’s profile by students in Ramapo College’s IGG program. Both of OC Sheriff’s cold case investigators are a current and former student of the program.
Sheriff’s investigators partnered with forensic artist Carl Koppelman to develop an updated rendering based on the genetic profile.
Anyone who recognizes Jane Doe or may have information on her case is asked to contact Investigator Lauren Felix at 714-647-4579 or email coldcase@ocsheriff.gov. Anonymous tips may be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.
