– teen missing over 50 years
– DNA uploaded genealogy database.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Human Remains Found in 1970 Finally identified After More Than Five Decades Near Portland, Oregon

In a breakthrough discovery, human remains that were found in 1970 near Portland, Oregon, have finally been identified after more than five decades. The remains were initially discovered by a Boy Scout troop leader in February 1970 buried in a shallow grave on Sauvie Island. Despite efforts at the time, the remains could not be identified.

Investigators noted signs of trauma to the body, suggesting foul play, according to the Oregon State Police. The remains were then transferred to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s facility in Clackamas County in 2004 along with over 100 other unidentified remains. A bone sample and a NamUs profile were created, and the sample was submitted to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification.

A significant breakthrough in the case occurred in January 2023 when an individual uploaded their DNA results to GEDMatch, a genealogy database. This led to the recognition of a possible distant family connection to the remains. Subsequent interviews and research, along with the collaboration of a genetic genealogist and family members, helped create a family tree that ultimately led to the identification of the remains as Sandra Young.

Sandra Young, born on June 25, 1951, was last seen in Portland. Her remains were discovered about 10 miles north of where she was last seen, and police believe she went missing in 1968 or 1969. Dr. Nici Vance, the state’s Human Identification Program Coordinator at the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, commended the collaborative effort that led to Young regaining her identity after 54 years.

Dr. Vance stated, “Her story represents a remarkable amount of diligence and collaboration between family members, detectives, Oregon State Medical Examiner staff, and our contract laboratory Parabon Nanolabs. This is yet another example of the innovative ways the ME’s Office and investigative genetic genealogy can help Oregonians find closure.”

Police are now focused on determining the circumstances surrounding Young’s death and continuing their investigative efforts in the case.

© 2024 Cox Media Group

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