Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Investigators Identify Decades-Old Skull Found near Lake Tahoe as Missing Woman from 1970

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – In a breakthrough discovery, investigators have identified a skull that was found decades ago near Lake Tahoe, California as belonging to Donna Lass, a woman who was last seen in 1970. The identification was made possible through advanced DNA technology, bringing closure to a case that had remained unsolved for over 50 years.

The skull was discovered in 1986 by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office near Highway 80, close to Interstate 80. For years, it had been preserved at the Placer County Coroner’s Office, awaiting advancements in forensic science that could aid in its identification. Recently, the sheriff’s office and the district attorney’s office formed a cold case team, which collaborated with the Crimes Against Persons unit to send the skull to the California Department of Justice for DNA analysis.

The breakthrough came when the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services successfully matched the DNA from the skull with a member of Donna Lass’s family. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department had previously obtained DNA from the family for their missing persons case. The positive DNA match confirmed that the skull belonged to Donna Lass, who had been reported missing in 1971.

Donna Lass was last seen on September 7, 1970, outside her apartment with a young blond man, according to a local newspaper clipping posted by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Her disappearance had remained a mystery for over five decades, with no significant leads or breakthroughs in the case.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the team effort that led to the identification of Donna Lass. They were able to locate and notify Lass’s surviving family members, providing them with closure after years of uncertainty. The sheriff’s office also acknowledged the efforts of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department and expressed their commitment to pursuing any future leads that may arise in the case.

Despite the identification, the cause of Donna Lass’s death remains unknown. The investigation into her disappearance and death will continue, with the hope that further advances in forensic science and investigative techniques can shed light on this cold case.

This significant breakthrough serves as a testament to the importance of cold case investigations and the utilization of advanced DNA technology in solving long-standing mysteries. The identification of Donna Lass’s remains brings closure not only to her family but also to the community that has wondered about her fate for decades.

As investigators continue their work, it is a reminder that no case is ever truly closed. Advances in technology and the dedication of law enforcement professionals can breathe new life into cold cases, providing answers and justice for those who have long been forgotten.

>> Read more trending news

.