YAKIMA, Wash. (WCAX) – After nearly five decades, the remains of a homicide victim found in Washington state have been identified as a woman from Vermont.
According to police, in July 1977 the remains were found in an abandoned car in downtown Yakima.
The investigation revealed the victim was a young female between 18 and 25 years old, who police say was strangled to death.
But attempts to identify her were unsuccessful until now.
With help from the Othram Corporation, a company that specializes in forensic genealogy, on Tuesday police confirmed the identity of “Yakima Jane Doe” as Vereta “Joni” Gates.
If she were alive today, she would be 71 years old.
Yakima police say a suspect in the murder has still not been identified.