Jane Doe from 1967 Sonoma County cold case identified through DNA
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A woman whose remains were found down a steep cliff off Highway 1 nearly 60 years ago has been identified, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday. On Feb. 3, 1967, the woman’s decomposed remains were found at the bottom of a cliff north of Jenner.
The woman was listed as a Jane Doe and her cause of death was listed as multiple skull and rib fractures. How she got the injuries was unknown, according to law enforcement.
After efforts to identify her were unsuccessful, Jane Doe was laid to rest at the County of Sonoma Cemetery.
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In 2009, her body was exhumed with the assistance of anthropology professor Dr. Mark Griffin from San Francisco State University. The examination determined that Jane Doe was a white woman between 40 and 46 years old and that she was the victim of a homicide.
Early last year, Jane Doe’s DNA was analyzed by Othram Inc., a forensic genetic analysis company. Through DNA analysis, Othram identified Jane Doe as Lillian Marie Cardenas.
Cardenas, officials said, was born in 1928 and was last known to have lived in San Francisco. She had been estranged from her surviving family prior to her death.
The Sonoma Sheriff’s Office is looking for information about Cardenas’ life or death to try and piece together what happened to her. Anyone with relevant information can contact the Cold Case Unit at (707) 565-2727.
The Sonoma Sheriff’s Office has expanded its genetic genealogy caseload and is working with the California Department of Justice in a polit program to solve more Doe cases.
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