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Human Remains Found Near Lake Tahoe Finally Identified as Missing Nurse Donna Lass

By Sarah Engel | CNN

Decades after their discovery, human remains found near Lake Tahoe have been positively identified as belonging to Donna Lass, a nurse who went missing in 1970. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office announced the breakthrough, bringing closure to Lass’s family and shedding new light on a cold case that had remained unsolved for over five decades.

A Mysterious Disappearance

Donna Lass was only 25 years old when she was reported missing to the South Lake Tahoe Police in 1971. The last sighting of her was on September 7, 1970, when she was seen walking with a young blonde man near her apartment. The sheriff’s office shared a local newspaper clipping from that time, further adding to the intrigue surrounding her disappearance.

Decades of Silence

Despite extensive investigative efforts, the case went cold, leaving Lass’s family in despair. However, in 1986, a glimmer of hope emerged when an unidentified human skull was discovered off Highway 20 near Interstate 80, close to Lake Tahoe. The skull was carefully preserved at the Placer County Coroner’s Office, awaiting the day when advancements in forensic science could provide answers.

A New Approach

Recognizing the importance of unsolved cases, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and the district attorney’s office established a dedicated cold case team. Tasked with allocating additional resources to investigate missing persons and suspicious death cases, this team aimed to bring closure to families and seek justice for the victims.

Advancements in DNA Testing

Thanks to advancements in DNA testing, the cold case team decided to send the preserved skull to the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services. By comparing the DNA from the skull with a sample obtained from a family member of Donna Lass, which had been collected by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department during the initial missing persons investigation, a breakthrough was finally achieved.

“The California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services was able to match the DNA of the skull with the DNA from a member of Donna Lass’s family,” revealed the sheriff’s office. “This allowed them to identify the skull as the remains of Donna Lass.”

Bringing Closure

Last week, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department notified Donna Lass’s surviving relatives of the long-awaited discovery. The news brought a mix of emotions, including relief and sadness, as the family received closure after decades of uncertainty.

“We are extremely grateful that this team effort was able to bring closure to the Lass family,” expressed the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. “We remain hopeful that our dedicated cold case detectives can continue to make advances in these cases, bringing answers and justice to more families.”

A Continuing Investigation

While the identification of Donna Lass’s remains is a significant breakthrough, the investigation is far from over. South Lake Tahoe police are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward and assist in their ongoing efforts. Individuals can contact the detectives at cybertips@cityofslt.us, helping to piece together the final moments of Donna Lass’s life and potentially uncover the truth behind her mysterious disappearance.

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