The following is a press release issued by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office:
On September 18, 1979, a couple was hunting in the area of Hwy 175 between the Lake and Mendocino county lines when they stumbled upon skeletal remains.
Deputy Powers, who is currently still employed and working on a part-time basis for the Sheriff’s Office, responded to the area and began a homicide investigation.
Unfortunately, the case went cold, and the skeletal remains could not be identified.
Throughout the years, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) followed up with the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) to use emerging technology to identify this Jane Doe.
In March 2023, a representative from the CA DOJ suggested that Sgt. Frace, the coroner sergeant, contact a private DNA lab, Othram, to find out if their state-of-the-art procedures could help identify Jane Doe.
In January 2024, a potential match for a living relative of the decedent was identified. Sgt. Frace was able to contact this individual and gather information; however, he was still unable to make a positive identification.
In March 2024, a second match was found, and Sgt. Frace was also able to contact this living relative. During this interview, the relative told Sgt. Frace that their grandmother had two sisters, one of whom disappeared in the 1970’s. Using information from the first interview and the new details from the second, Sgt. Frace was able to find additional information about other possible living relatives.
After multiple interviews and additional DNA testing, in April 2024, it was determined that Jane Doe was Wanda Lee Brewer from Carson, CA.
This investigation is still ongoing. With the new information about the victim’s identity, detectives are hoping to find new leads. This is an old, cold case; however, anyone with information is asked to come forward. Please reach out to Sgt. Mora at Jeffrey.mora@lakecountyca.gov
This was in the time frame of the Golden State Killer.