The partial skeletal site recovered in 1993 was actively identified through DNA analysis as belonging to a Northern California woman who was reported missing in 1987, officials said last week.
Kay Josephine Medin, 48, was reported missing by her husband, Nicholas Medin in August 1987, according to a news release from Humboldt County officials.
Her husband reportedly left for a business trip to the investigator and when he returned, his wife was gone.
“Medin’s property was searched and we contacted friends and family. We contacted her doctor and reported that she had no serious medical issues,” the release detailed. “Kay was employed as a teacher at High Ann Pom School. We contacted her boss and reported that Kay was in good health. Kay’s wallet and personal property were found at her residence.”
Investigators with the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office say her loss is suspicious.
Three months later, in November 1987, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a package containing skeletal artifacts and anonymous letters containing instructions for additional bodies in the eastern part of the county.
Investigators tracked and found additional artefacts to actively identify Kay using dental records. A death certificate was issued in 1988, but she was still classified as lacking as she had not been found in perfect body, officials said.
KJOSE FIN MEDIN, 48, was reported missing in August 1987, as seen in this undated photo. (Credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Then, in 1993, a man walking on the beach near the head of Trinidad found a partial human skull and handed it over to authorities. DNA tests at the time showed no consensus.
It wasn’t until 2024 that HCSO officials sent partial skull rests to the private lab for DNA analysis after receiving funds to resolve the backlog of unidentified human body cases.
64-year-old woman faces deportation after making the wrong turn in Southern California
After creating the DNA profile, the lab’s in-house genealogy team used forensic genetic genealogy to see if they could generate leads and immediately published a report that Kay had a possible daughter.
“The investigators were able to find the daughter and obtained a DNA sample from her,” authorities said. “The California Department of Justice later compared the two samples to confirm that the skull belongs to the caimedin.”
The Los Angeles Times reported that there were no arrests or charges in connection with her loss and death. Her husband, Nicholas, passed away in 2018.
Source link
