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BREAKING! BREAKING NEWS! IDENTIFIED! *General Information* (6 Viewers)
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Remains in Galax identified as 5-year-old boy missing for 20 years, charges expected
Logan Bowman was a 5-year-old child who went missing in Grayson County in January of 2003.
wset.com
Human remains found in Galax in 2022 have been identified as a 5-year-old Grayson County boy who went missing 20 years ago.
On September 6, 2022, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to the area of Iron Ridge Road in Galax for reported human remains found in a wooded area. Throughout the investigation, it was determined that the remains had been in that area for a long time, according to the CCSO.
The sheriff’s office received help from Othram Inc., a private company based in Texas specializing in Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing and Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Othram Inc. was able to develop a full DNA profile which allowed them to use Forensic Genetic Genealogy, and two direct DNA comparisons of family members to identify the remains as Logan Nathaniel Bowman.
Bowman was a 5-year-old child who went missing in Grayson County in January of 2003.
Bowman's biological mother Cynthia Davis and her then-boyfriend Dennis Schermerhorn were charged in 2003 in connection to his disappearance. The sheriff’s office said this is still an ongoing investigation and new charges are anticipated.
GrandmaBear
Deputized Emu Slayer/Horse Thief Hunter
Another baby, look at him. More horrible parents/people. I wonder if they've known these months that a body was found where it was even while LE was on trying to determine who it was. They would know where they had dumped him. Pieces of dung.Remains in Galax identified as 5-year-old boy missing for 20 years, charges expectedRemains in Galax identified as 5-year-old boy missing for 20 years, charges expected
Logan Bowman was a 5-year-old child who went missing in Grayson County in January of 2003.
Human remains found in Galax in 2022 have been identified as a 5-year-old Grayson County boy who went missing 20 years ago.
On September 6, 2022, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to the area of Iron Ridge Road in Galax for reported human remains found in a wooded area. Throughout the investigation, it was determined that the remains had been in that area for a long time, according to the CCSO.
The sheriff’s office received help from Othram Inc., a private company based in Texas specializing in Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing and Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Othram Inc. was able to develop a full DNA profile which allowed them to use Forensic Genetic Genealogy, and two direct DNA comparisons of family members to identify the remains as Logan Nathaniel Bowman.
Bowman was a 5-year-old child who went missing in Grayson County in January of 2003.
Bowman's biological mother Cynthia Davis and her then-boyfriend Dennis Schermerhorn were charged in 2003 in connection to his disappearance. The sheriff’s office said this is still an ongoing investigation and new charges are anticipated.
View attachment 20957
I never know whether to hit the angry face or the hug. This child should have been hugged not beaten, abused and killed so... I'm so angry though too. Each and every time. So 20 years free, so wrong. This child would be through college by nor and/or maybe have kids of his own.
Then one has to wonder if they had more kids either of them and how they've been treated. Has their safety been ensured through all these years... Such evil.
RIP sweet boy.
GrandmaBear
Deputized Emu Slayer/Horse Thief Hunter
20 years bites but out of the blue he was found and they are going down as they should. HOPEFULLY it isn't looked at by a jury as old and not important, i am wondering in that other case with the old man and the child. I think almost always juries are better than that and smarter but when seeing someone who is older and who has maybe been in no trouble the decades after in their lheir life and the victim is long gone, I worry they go soft... Or one might. Generally I always believe in juries but these old ones are harder.
I don't recall the case either. I think seeing it now is a first for me.
Last KNOWN victim of Gary Ridgway identified as an already known vicitm.
DNA identifies ‘last known remains’ of victims of notorious Green River Killer, cops say
The “last known remains” of victims killed by serial killer Gary Ridgway have been identified as a 16-year-old girl, Washington authorities said.
Tammie Liles disappeared in 1983, and she was identified as a victim of Ridgway in 1988, three years after some of her remains were found in Oregon, according to KUOW.
More of her remains were found in August 2003 in Washington, but they were left unidentified and labeled as Bones #20 for over 20 years — until recent DNA testing, the King County Sheriff’s Office said in a Jan. 22 news release.
Some of Liles’ remains were first discovered in 1985 near the Tualatin Golf Course near Tigard, Oregon, deputies said, and identified through dental records. She was identified as a victim of Ridgway in 1988.
In June 2003, Ridgway led authorities to a site on the Kent-Des Moines Road in King County, Washington. He said he had left a body there, deputies said.
Investigators said they found bones and teeth, but the skull was missing along with other major bones.
These remains were sent to the University of North Texas where a DNA profile was created and then submitted to a DNA database of missing people, deputies said.
An identification was never made, and the remains were labeled Bones #20.
In 2022, investigators reopened the case around Bones #20 and contacted Othram, a lab in The Woodlands, Texas, that specializes in forensic genetic genealogy.
Othram used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing and created a DNA profile from the remains. Bones #20 was “tentatively identified” as Liles in August 2023, deputies said.
Investigators contacted her mother and had her submit a DNA sample, which confirmed the remains found in 2003 belonged to Liles.
DNA identifies ‘last known remains’ of victims of notorious Green River Killer, cops say
The “last known remains” of victims killed by serial killer Gary Ridgway have been identified as a 16-year-old girl, Washington authorities said.
Tammie Liles disappeared in 1983, and she was identified as a victim of Ridgway in 1988, three years after some of her remains were found in Oregon, according to KUOW.
More of her remains were found in August 2003 in Washington, but they were left unidentified and labeled as Bones #20 for over 20 years — until recent DNA testing, the King County Sheriff’s Office said in a Jan. 22 news release.
Some of Liles’ remains were first discovered in 1985 near the Tualatin Golf Course near Tigard, Oregon, deputies said, and identified through dental records. She was identified as a victim of Ridgway in 1988.
In June 2003, Ridgway led authorities to a site on the Kent-Des Moines Road in King County, Washington. He said he had left a body there, deputies said.
Investigators said they found bones and teeth, but the skull was missing along with other major bones.
These remains were sent to the University of North Texas where a DNA profile was created and then submitted to a DNA database of missing people, deputies said.
An identification was never made, and the remains were labeled Bones #20.
In 2022, investigators reopened the case around Bones #20 and contacted Othram, a lab in The Woodlands, Texas, that specializes in forensic genetic genealogy.
Othram used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing and created a DNA profile from the remains. Bones #20 was “tentatively identified” as Liles in August 2023, deputies said.
Investigators contacted her mother and had her submit a DNA sample, which confirmed the remains found in 2003 belonged to Liles.
noZme
Well-known member
Atlanta man burned to death in 1996 kerosene attack identified
A man who was brutally killed in 1996 when he was doused in kerosene and lit on fire during a suspected robbery in Atlanta has been identified thanks to the work of a nonprofit group.
The DNA Doe Project announced Thursday that its volunteer researchers had identified David Brown as the man who died from severe burns after the attack in southeast Atlanta on April 24, 1996. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office shared a sample of Brown’s DNA with the group earlier this year, and the victim was identified as Brown after researchers pieced together his family tree.
Brown was found in a vacant lot at the corner of Dorothy and Lansing streets suffering from burns over most of his body when police responded, The Atlanta Constitution reported at the time. Police told the newspaper the man screamed for help and told witnesses he’d been attacked with kerosene by someone trying to rob him. His condition was considered critical when he was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he later died. Brown had no form of ID on him and his fingerprints could not be taken.
Brown was reported missing by his family around the time of the attack, according to the DNA Doe Project, and the vacant lot was just a few blocks from his home. However, the two cases were not linked until this year.
The group used the DNA sample from the Fulton ME to create a genetic profile of the victim. Then, volunteer genealogists spent months researching and building his family tree.
Atlanta man burned to death in 1996 kerosene attack identified
A man who was brutally killed in 1996 when he was doused in kerosene and lit on fire during a suspected robbery in Atlanta has been identified thanks to the work of a nonprofit group.
Guess Who
Well-known member
The missing person lived only blocks from where the body was found at the time the missing person report was filed and nobody linked them???Atlanta man burned to death in 1996 kerosene attack identified
A man who was brutally killed in 1996 when he was doused in kerosene and lit on fire during a suspected robbery in Atlanta has been identified thanks to the work of a nonprofit group.
The DNA Doe Project announced Thursday that its volunteer researchers had identified David Brown as the man who died from severe burns after the attack in southeast Atlanta on April 24, 1996. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office shared a sample of Brown’s DNA with the group earlier this year, and the victim was identified as Brown after researchers pieced together his family tree.
Brown was found in a vacant lot at the corner of Dorothy and Lansing streets suffering from burns over most of his body when police responded, The Atlanta Constitution reported at the time. Police told the newspaper the man screamed for help and told witnesses he’d been attacked with kerosene by someone trying to rob him. His condition was considered critical when he was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he later died. Brown had no form of ID on him and his fingerprints could not be taken.
Brown was reported missing by his family around the time of the attack, according to the DNA Doe Project, and the vacant lot was just a few blocks from his home. However, the two cases were not linked until this year.
The group used the DNA sample from the Fulton ME to create a genetic profile of the victim. Then, volunteer genealogists spent months researching and building his family tree.
Atlanta man burned to death in 1996 kerosene attack identified
A man who was brutally killed in 1996 when he was doused in kerosene and lit on fire during a suspected robbery in Atlanta has been identified thanks to the work of a nonprofit group.www.ajc.com
65-year-old cold case of dead child found on side of Wisconsin road is solved with DNA
Though Chester Alfred Breiney's adoptive parents admitted dumping his body, prosecutors lacked the evidence to prove a crime was committed.
www.nbcnews.com
65-year-old cold case of dead child found on side of Wisconsin road is solved with DNA
Though Chester Alfred Breiney's adoptive parents admitted dumping his body, prosecutors lacked the evidence to prove a crime was committed.A cold case from 1959 involving a missing 7-year-old came to a conclusion last week through DNA identification, decades after charges against the boy's adoptive parents were dropped for lack of physical evidence.
A human skeleton was discovered on the side of the road in Mequon, Wisconsin, on Oct. 4, 1959, which investigators determined to be the skull of a 6- to 8-year-old child.
At the same time Mequon police officers were following leads about the skull, deputies in nearby Houghton County, Michigan, were looking into the disappearance of an adopted child, Markku Jutila, whose parents fled to Chicago.
Relatives of William and Hilja Jutila became suspicious of the child's whereabouts after the Jutilas relocated from the Michigan area to Chicago. The Houghton County Sheriff's Office began working with the Chicago Police Department on the matter.
According to the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin, the couple were interviewed in Chicago and admitted dumping their adoptive son's body in a ditch in Mequon.
The skull found in Mequon had features similar to Markku Jutila, but the charges against the Jutilas were later dismissed because prosecutors lacked corpus delicti — the legal principle that there must be sufficient evidence a crime occurred, such as a body, before someone can be prosecuted for it.
And since prosecutor's could not definitively identify the skeletal remains as Markku’s, the charges were dropped.
The case was dormant until last year, when agents with Wisconsin's Justice Department began working with the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory to identify the remains.
GrandmaBear
Deputized Emu Slayer/Horse Thief Hunter
Wow. First tof all, back in that day and age to connect the two places is pretty impressive imo. However, there were probably a lot less bodies of children found in those days and they may have had some reason to connect such but still, MI to WI.
The other thing that stands out to me is it was a day and age we'd say adoption was much harder and parents vetted compared to nowadays where it is too easy and no following up goes on in many a case and no vetting, not good enough vetting that's for sure. I mean one example is the Wests in CA should never have been able to foster much less adopt children.
Yet here we have a case from way back when where the adopted parents killed the child apparently.
It seems LE knew but did not have that defining definitive evidence.
Now they do.
Kudos to a cold case solve and following up on it.
A bit different than the norm.
I did not read the link but assuming the parents are passed just based on the year.
So no justice other than maybe some from beyond, and now people can know them as what they were, child murderers, one or both, and covering up their crime.
It's a bit unfathomable when they told LE where they dumped him that that wasn't enough but...? That's the law I guess for ya.
Poor child, I wonder what his background was before hey got him. Guessing he never had much of a good life. Sad.
The other thing that stands out to me is it was a day and age we'd say adoption was much harder and parents vetted compared to nowadays where it is too easy and no following up goes on in many a case and no vetting, not good enough vetting that's for sure. I mean one example is the Wests in CA should never have been able to foster much less adopt children.
Yet here we have a case from way back when where the adopted parents killed the child apparently.
It seems LE knew but did not have that defining definitive evidence.
Now they do.
Kudos to a cold case solve and following up on it.
A bit different than the norm.
I did not read the link but assuming the parents are passed just based on the year.
So no justice other than maybe some from beyond, and now people can know them as what they were, child murderers, one or both, and covering up their crime.
It's a bit unfathomable when they told LE where they dumped him that that wasn't enough but...? That's the law I guess for ya.
Poor child, I wonder what his background was before hey got him. Guessing he never had much of a good life. Sad.
Cousin Dupree
Keep Others Safe
NYC woman killed 33 years ago identified using advanced DNA testing
Judy Rodriguez vanished on January 23, 1991. Her remains have now been identified.
www.newsweek.com
It's not official yet, but looks like it will be. Looks like Kevin Graves' remains have been located
www.mlive.com
Police ’99% sure’ remains found near Electric Forest are missing man Kevin Graves, father says
Remains found near Electric Forest festival believed to be those of Kevin Graves, missing since 2018
www.mlive.com
Sunburst
Well-known member
‘I-90’ Jane Doe, Suspected Victim Of Serial Killer, Identified After 33 Years
A young, petite, pregnant woman found dead with beating and strangulation injuries 33 years ago in a borrow ditch 15 miles north of Sheridan has been…
cowboystatedaily.com
I don't think we had a thread for him. After identifying him, they also found out he had a little brother who hasn't been seen since either. They also said no pictures are available of Carl.
abc7chicago.com
Police in Fairfax County, Virginia, say genetic testing has identified the body of Carl Matthew Bryant.
On June 13, 1972, the little boy's body was found under a bridge in Lorton, Virginia, according to Fairfax County police. The boy was was labeled a John Doe.
It was determined that he died from blunt force trauma and the case was ruled a homicide, police said.
For over 50 years, police worked to find his name and what caused his tragic murder.
Authorities said the breakthrough came thanks to genetic genealogy, which uses an unknown person's DNA to trace his or her family tree. His DNA profile was obtained from just a few millimeters of hair, police said, and then genetic genealogy helped detectives track the little boy's family to Philadelphia.
Through a relative, detectives zeroed in on Vera Bryant as the mother, police said.
In June 1972, detectives say Vera and her boyfriend James Hedgepeth -- who was a convicted murderer -- were traveling from Philadelphia to Hedgepeth's relatives in Middlesex County, Virginia, with Carl and his six-month-old brother.
However, when the couple arrived, they didn't have her sons with them, police said.
Then, over Thanksgiving in 1972, when the couple visited Vera Bryant's family in Philadelphia, Vera allegedly told them the children were in Virginia with Hedgepeth's family, police said. The couple never reported the boys missing, police added.
Vera died in 1980; her body was exhumed and DNA confirmed she was Carl's mom, police said. Hedgepeth has also since died.
Although Carl has a name, police are now searching for his little brother, James Bryant.
James has never been found.
Detectives believe the missing baby was killed around the same time as his older brother, police said.
4-year-old boy murdered in 1972 identified, baby brother still missing
Detectives believe his mother and her boyfriend, who had already served time for murder, were involved in the Carl's death.
abc7chicago.com
4-year-old boy murdered in 1972 identified, baby brother still missing
A cold case, involving the death of a 4-year-old boy, may now be solved after five decades.Police in Fairfax County, Virginia, say genetic testing has identified the body of Carl Matthew Bryant.
On June 13, 1972, the little boy's body was found under a bridge in Lorton, Virginia, according to Fairfax County police. The boy was was labeled a John Doe.
It was determined that he died from blunt force trauma and the case was ruled a homicide, police said.
For over 50 years, police worked to find his name and what caused his tragic murder.
Authorities said the breakthrough came thanks to genetic genealogy, which uses an unknown person's DNA to trace his or her family tree. His DNA profile was obtained from just a few millimeters of hair, police said, and then genetic genealogy helped detectives track the little boy's family to Philadelphia.
Through a relative, detectives zeroed in on Vera Bryant as the mother, police said.
In June 1972, detectives say Vera and her boyfriend James Hedgepeth -- who was a convicted murderer -- were traveling from Philadelphia to Hedgepeth's relatives in Middlesex County, Virginia, with Carl and his six-month-old brother.
However, when the couple arrived, they didn't have her sons with them, police said.
Then, over Thanksgiving in 1972, when the couple visited Vera Bryant's family in Philadelphia, Vera allegedly told them the children were in Virginia with Hedgepeth's family, police said. The couple never reported the boys missing, police added.
Vera died in 1980; her body was exhumed and DNA confirmed she was Carl's mom, police said. Hedgepeth has also since died.
Although Carl has a name, police are now searching for his little brother, James Bryant.
James has never been found.
Detectives believe the missing baby was killed around the same time as his older brother, police said.
ima.grandma
Believer of Miracles
HOUSTON - On September 8, 1992, a passerby found a woman's remains near 500 Rittenhouse on Houston's Northside.
That same time period, Spencer Graham says her mother disappeared.
"She disappeared when I was 2-years-old — so I have very little memory of her. For the longest time, we had just assumed she had left on her own," she said.
It was only a few years ago that she came to the conclusion after talking to family that her mother must have been killed.
"She wouldn't have left for over 30 years without a single call," she said.
Little did Graham know, she was just months away from getting some answers.
"There are so many people searching for answers and who deserve to have those answers of what happened to their loved ones," said Katie Thomas, co-founder and president of Moxxy Forensic Investigations.
Intermountain Forensics extracted DNA from the remains and generated a profile that enabled family-tree research. An eight-member team of volunteer genealogists with Moxxy ultimately led to a positive identification in 2025.
Those results were sent to the Harris County Forensic Institute of Forensic Sciences for confirmation.
"I truly thought I was never going to get those answers. It's so hard to process that this is my mother — it's becoming more real," said Graham.
Zamora's killer has not been identified, and her case is still an open homicide investigation with the Houston Police Department.
Criminal Coffee Co. has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for Zamora’s death. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
On October 28, 1994, the skeletal remains of a 20–30-year-old presumed female, identified as White/Caucasian, were discovered in a wooded area by surveyors near the San Jacinto River. It is believed that this individual may have died two to seven years prior to discovery.
The individual was estimated to be 5'1". Upon discovery, the individual was found to be wearing a brown blouse with stripes, yellow thong-style sandals, and had a small, rectangular shaped purse.
You can find out to help with funding the identification in this case by clicking here.
www.fox26houston.com
"Jane Doe" remains found
At the time, investigators described the victim as a white woman between 20 and 30-years-old, about 5-foot-1 with brown hair roughly eight inches long. She had a lower-spine scoliosis condition and artificial upper front teeth secured with a temporary bridge. Despite extensive work by law enforcement and forensic experts, her identity remained unknown for more than 30 years.That same time period, Spencer Graham says her mother disappeared.
"She disappeared when I was 2-years-old — so I have very little memory of her. For the longest time, we had just assumed she had left on her own," she said.
It was only a few years ago that she came to the conclusion after talking to family that her mother must have been killed.
"She wouldn't have left for over 30 years without a single call," she said.
Little did Graham know, she was just months away from getting some answers.
The forensic investigation
In 2024, Moxxy Forensic Investigations took on the 1992 "Jane Doe" case. The 501c3, working with the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, launched an investigative genetic genealogy effort funded by public crowdfunding and sponsorship from Criminal Coffee Co. Genealogy work formally began Dec. 5, 2024."There are so many people searching for answers and who deserve to have those answers of what happened to their loved ones," said Katie Thomas, co-founder and president of Moxxy Forensic Investigations.
Intermountain Forensics extracted DNA from the remains and generated a profile that enabled family-tree research. An eight-member team of volunteer genealogists with Moxxy ultimately led to a positive identification in 2025.
Those results were sent to the Harris County Forensic Institute of Forensic Sciences for confirmation.
The identification - 3 decades later
Then, the "Jane Doe" was officially identified as Joann Zamora, born Aug. 27, 1963 - Graham's mother."I truly thought I was never going to get those answers. It's so hard to process that this is my mother — it's becoming more real," said Graham.
Zamora's killer has not been identified, and her case is still an open homicide investigation with the Houston Police Department.
Criminal Coffee Co. has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for Zamora’s death. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
Moxxy's next investigation
Moxxy Forensic Investigations is working on another Harris County case involving a 1994 Jane Doe. They're currently raising the funding needed to start the investigation and say community donations help pay for that specialized DNA testing and genealogical research.On October 28, 1994, the skeletal remains of a 20–30-year-old presumed female, identified as White/Caucasian, were discovered in a wooded area by surveyors near the San Jacinto River. It is believed that this individual may have died two to seven years prior to discovery.
The individual was estimated to be 5'1". Upon discovery, the individual was found to be wearing a brown blouse with stripes, yellow thong-style sandals, and had a small, rectangular shaped purse.
You can find out to help with funding the identification in this case by clicking here.
Houston cold case victim identified 3 decades later
On September 8, 1992, a passerby found a woman's remains near 500 Rittenhouse on Houston's Northside.
ima.grandma
Believer of Miracles
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For more than three decades, the identity of a woman found dead in a wooded area of north Houston remained a mystery. Known only as a Jane Doe, her story had no name, until now.
Thanks to the efforts of a Houston-based nonprofit specializing in forensic genetic genealogy, the woman has been identified as Joann Zamora, a mother of six who vanished in 1992.
Her daughter, Spencer Graham, was just two years old when her mother disappeared. For most of her life, she lived with the story that Joann had simply run away.
"The story we got growing up was that she just left. She couldn't be a mom anymore," Spencer said. "We weren't living with her at the time. Her boyfriend called us after she was supposed to see us for Easter, 1992 and said she just took off with his car, money, and camera. So that was the story we believed."
Recently, they learned everything they knew was wrong. Joann Zamora died sometime before her 29th birthday.
Her remains were discovered in September 1992 off West Rittenhouse Road in North Houston. Despite efforts by law enforcement, her identity could not be confirmed at the time. She was ultimately buried in the Harris County Cemetery, her grave marked only as "Unknown."
It wasn't until last year that Moxxy Forensic Investigations, a nonprofit organization, took on the cold case. Using DNA extracted from the remains by Intermountain Forensics, a lab in Utah, and advanced genealogical mapping, the team was able to construct family trees that eventually led them to the Zamora family.
"Families deserve answers," said Katie Thomas, co-founder of Moxxy Forensic Investigations. "Our eight genealogists went to work, building out family trees for DNA matches to find connections and common ancestors that we eventually continued to build down to find the Zamora family."
In July of this year, Spencer and her family received the news they never expected. Joann had not abandoned them.
"It makes me feel sad that I believed what I believed for the majority of my life," Spencer said. "I finally have answers I never thought I would have. But now it leads to more questions."
According to Moxxy, Joann was the victim of a homicide. The Houston Police Department would only tell ABC13 that the Cold Case Unit is investigating Joann Zamora's death.
As for Spencer, the news has brought grief, but also connection. She's now seeing photos of her and her mother for the first time.
"She loved Christmas, and Mr. Gatti's Pizza," Spencer shared. "She was just a fun person, who had her faults but she loved life."
Spencer credits Moxxy and the generosity of crowdfunding donors, like Criminal Coffee Co., for making the identification possible. Now, she hopes the renewed attention on her mother's case will lead to justice.
"We just want to know what happened, even if it's hard to hear," she said.
Anyone with information about Joann Zamora's death is urged to contact HPD's Cold Case Unit or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
O
Meantime, Moxxy is working on a second Harris County Jane Doe case from 1994.
Investigators say they have identified 1992 murder victim's remains in N. Houston wooded area
For more than three decades, the identity of a woman found dead in a wooded area of North Houston remained a mystery. Known only as a Jane Doe, her story had no name, until now.
abc13.com
ima.grandma
Believer of Miracles
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For more than three decades, the identity of a woman found dead in a wooded area of north Houston remained a mystery. Known only as a Jane Doe, her story had no name, until now.
Thanks to the efforts of a Houston-based nonprofit specializing in forensic genetic genealogy, the woman has been identified as Joann Zamora, a mother of six who vanished in 1992.
Her daughter, Spencer Graham, was just two years old when her mother disappeared. For most of her life, she lived with the story that Joann had simply run away.
"The story we got growing up was that she just left. She couldn't be a mom anymore," Spencer said. "We weren't living with her at the time. Her boyfriend called us after she was supposed to see us for Easter, 1992 and said she just took off with his car, money, and camera. So that was the story we believed."
Recently, they learned everything they knew was wrong. Joann Zamora died sometime before her 29th birthday.
Her remains were discovered in September 1992 off West Rittenhouse Road in North Houston. Despite efforts by law enforcement, her identity could not be confirmed at the time. She was ultimately buried in the Harris County Cemetery, her grave marked only as "Unknown."
It wasn't until last year that Moxxy Forensic Investigations, a nonprofit organization, took on the cold case. Using DNA extracted from the remains by Intermountain Forensics, a lab in Utah, and advanced genealogical mapping, the team was able to construct family trees that eventually led them to the Zamora family.
"Families deserve answers," said Katie Thomas, co-founder of Moxxy Forensic Investigations. "Our eight genealogists went to work, building out family trees for DNA matches to find connections and common ancestors that we eventually continued to build down to find the Zamora family."
In July of this year, Spencer and her family received the news they never expected. Joann had not abandoned them.
"It makes me feel sad that I believed what I believed for the majority of my life," Spencer said. "I finally have answers I never thought I would have. But now it leads to more questions."
According to Moxxy, Joann was the victim of a homicide. The Houston Police Department would only tell ABC13 that the Cold Case Unit is investigating Joann Zamora's death.
As for Spencer, the news has brought grief, but also connection. She's now seeing photos of her and her mother for the first time.
"She loved Christmas, and Mr. Gatti's Pizza," Spencer shared. "She was just a fun person, who had her faults but she loved life."
Spencer credits Moxxy and the generosity of crowdfunding donors, like Criminal Coffee Co., for making the identification possible. Now, she hopes the renewed attention on her mother's case will lead to justice.
"We just want to know what happened, even if it's hard to hear," she said.
Anyone with information about Joann Zamora's death is urged to contact HPD's Cold Case Unit or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For more than three decades, the identity of a woman found dead in a wooded area of north Houston remained a mystery. Known only as a Jane Doe, her story had no name, until now.
Thanks to the efforts of a Houston-based nonprofit specializing in forensic genetic genealogy, the woman has been identified as Joann Zamora, a mother of six who vanished in 1992.
Her daughter, Spencer Graham, was just two years old when her mother disappeared. For most of her life, she lived with the story that Joann had simply run away.
"The story we got growing up was that she just left. She couldn't be a mom anymore," Spencer said. "We weren't living with her at the time. Her boyfriend called us after she was supposed to see us for Easter, 1992 and said she just took off with his car, money, and camera. So that was the story we believed."
Recently, they learned everything they knew was wrong. Joann Zamora died sometime before her 29th birthday.
Her remains were discovered in September 1992 off West Rittenhouse Road in North Houston. Despite efforts by law enforcement, her identity could not be confirmed at the time. She was ultimately buried in the Harris County Cemetery, her grave marked only as "Unknown."
It wasn't until last year that Moxxy Forensic Investigations, a nonprofit organization, took on the cold case. Using DNA extracted from the remains by Intermountain Forensics, a lab in Utah, and advanced genealogical mapping, the team was able to construct family trees that eventually led them to the Zamora family.
"Families deserve answers," said Katie Thomas, co-founder of Moxxy Forensic Investigations. "Our eight genealogists went to work, building out family trees for DNA matches to find connections and common ancestors that we eventually continued to build down to find the Zamora family."
In July of this year, Spencer and her family received the news they never expected. Joann had not abandoned them.
"It makes me feel sad that I believed what I believed for the majority of my life," Spencer said. "I finally have answers I never thought I would have. But now it leads to more questions."
According to Moxxy, Joann was the victim of a homicide. The Houston Police Department would only tell ABC13 that the Cold Case Unit is investigating Joann Zamora's death.
As for Spencer, the news has brought grief, but also connection. She's now seeing photos of her and her mother for the first time.
"She loved Christmas, and Mr. Gatti's Pizza," Spencer shared. "She was just a fun person, who had her faults but she loved life."
Spencer credits Moxxy and the generosity of crowdfunding donors, like Criminal Coffee Co., for making the identification possible. Now, she hopes the renewed attention on her mother's case will lead to justice.
"We just want to know what happened, even if it's hard to hear," she said.
Anyone with information about Joann Zamora's death is urged to contact HPD's Cold Case Unit or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS
Thanks to the efforts of a Houston-based nonprofit specializing in forensic genetic genealogy, the woman has been identified as Joann Zamora, a mother of six who vanished in 1992.
Her daughter, Spencer Graham, was just two years old when her mother disappeared. For most of her life, she lived with the story that Joann had simply run away.
"The story we got growing up was that she just left. She couldn't be a mom anymore," Spencer said. "We weren't living with her at the time. Her boyfriend called us after she was supposed to see us for Easter, 1992 and said she just took off with his car, money, and camera. So that was the story we believed."
Recently, they learned everything they knew was wrong. Joann Zamora died sometime before her 29th birthday.
Her remains were discovered in September 1992 off West Rittenhouse Road in North Houston. Despite efforts by law enforcement, her identity could not be confirmed at the time. She was ultimately buried in the Harris County Cemetery, her grave marked only as "Unknown."
It wasn't until last year that Moxxy Forensic Investigations, a nonprofit organization, took on the cold case. Using DNA extracted from the remains by Intermountain Forensics, a lab in Utah, and advanced genealogical mapping, the team was able to construct family trees that eventually led them to the Zamora family.
"Families deserve answers," said Katie Thomas, co-founder of Moxxy Forensic Investigations. "Our eight genealogists went to work, building out family trees for DNA matches to find connections and common ancestors that we eventually continued to build down to find the Zamora family."
In July of this year, Spencer and her family received the news they never expected. Joann had not abandoned them.
"It makes me feel sad that I believed what I believed for the majority of my life," Spencer said. "I finally have answers I never thought I would have. But now it leads to more questions."
According to Moxxy, Joann was the victim of a homicide. The Houston Police Department would only tell ABC13 that the Cold Case Unit is investigating Joann Zamora's death.
As for Spencer, the news has brought grief, but also connection. She's now seeing photos of her and her mother for the first time.
"She loved Christmas, and Mr. Gatti's Pizza," Spencer shared. "She was just a fun person, who had her faults but she loved life."
Spencer credits Moxxy and the generosity of crowdfunding donors, like Criminal Coffee Co., for making the identification possible. Now, she hopes the renewed attention on her mother's case will lead to justice.
"We just want to know what happened, even if it's hard to hear," she said.
Anyone with information about Joann Zamora's death is urged to contact HPD's Cold Case Unit or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For more than three decades, the identity of a woman found dead in a wooded area of north Houston remained a mystery. Known only as a Jane Doe, her story had no name, until now.
Thanks to the efforts of a Houston-based nonprofit specializing in forensic genetic genealogy, the woman has been identified as Joann Zamora, a mother of six who vanished in 1992.
Her daughter, Spencer Graham, was just two years old when her mother disappeared. For most of her life, she lived with the story that Joann had simply run away.
"The story we got growing up was that she just left. She couldn't be a mom anymore," Spencer said. "We weren't living with her at the time. Her boyfriend called us after she was supposed to see us for Easter, 1992 and said she just took off with his car, money, and camera. So that was the story we believed."
Recently, they learned everything they knew was wrong. Joann Zamora died sometime before her 29th birthday.
Her remains were discovered in September 1992 off West Rittenhouse Road in North Houston. Despite efforts by law enforcement, her identity could not be confirmed at the time. She was ultimately buried in the Harris County Cemetery, her grave marked only as "Unknown."
It wasn't until last year that Moxxy Forensic Investigations, a nonprofit organization, took on the cold case. Using DNA extracted from the remains by Intermountain Forensics, a lab in Utah, and advanced genealogical mapping, the team was able to construct family trees that eventually led them to the Zamora family.
"Families deserve answers," said Katie Thomas, co-founder of Moxxy Forensic Investigations. "Our eight genealogists went to work, building out family trees for DNA matches to find connections and common ancestors that we eventually continued to build down to find the Zamora family."
In July of this year, Spencer and her family received the news they never expected. Joann had not abandoned them.
"It makes me feel sad that I believed what I believed for the majority of my life," Spencer said. "I finally have answers I never thought I would have. But now it leads to more questions."
According to Moxxy, Joann was the victim of a homicide. The Houston Police Department would only tell ABC13 that the Cold Case Unit is investigating Joann Zamora's death.
As for Spencer, the news has brought grief, but also connection. She's now seeing photos of her and her mother for the first time.
"She loved Christmas, and Mr. Gatti's Pizza," Spencer shared. "She was just a fun person, who had her faults but she loved life."
Spencer credits Moxxy and the generosity of crowdfunding donors, like Criminal Coffee Co., for making the identification possible. Now, she hopes the renewed attention on her mother's case will lead to justice.
"We just want to know what happened, even if it's hard to hear," she said.
Anyone with information about Joann Zamora's death is urged to contact HPD's Cold Case Unit or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS
ima.grandma
Believer of Miracles
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Genealogy testing is helping the Knox County Regional Forensic Center identify unknown remains and close cold cases.
The center has identified several individuals through forensic genetic genealogy, including Elbert Louis Brown, Erin Callahan and John Troutman. All were previously classified as unidentified.
“Being able to give these people a name and identity allows their families to have closure,” Chris Thomas said, with the Forensic Center.
The latest identification is Gerald John Forsman, who's remains were found in Knoxville in 2020.
“So unfortunately, he remained here as an unidentified remain for all those years,” Thomas said.
The center sent evidence to Othram, a private DNA lab in Texas. The lab matched and linked Forsman’s DNA to a sibling.
“In this case, it made the match, and we were able to call the sibling. It was emotional,” Thomas said.
The center has identified eight unknown remains in the past two years. Seven cases remain open. Officials hope to identify two more by the end of the year.
U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett helped secure funding for the testing through the 2024 Community Project Funding initiative.
“Yes, and I think DNA is the great equalizer. You can’t run from it,” Burchett said.
The 2024 Community Project Funding initiative helped pay for this type of testing.
“Our primary goals are, we don’t like bridges to nowhere,” he said. “We try to find things that are appropriate for funding.”
Othram has also helped identify suspects in other cases, including the 2022 murders of four college students in Idaho.
Forensic center closes cold cases with genealogy testing
The latest identification is Gerald John Forsman, who's remains were found in Knoxville in 2020.
www.wbir.com
ima.grandma
Believer of Miracles
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For more than three decades, the identity of a woman found dead in a wooded area of north Houston remained a mystery. Known only as a Jane Doe, her story had no name, until now.
Thanks to the efforts of a Houston-based nonprofit specializing in forensic genetic genealogy, the woman has been identified as Joann Zamora, a mother of six who vanished in 1992.
Her daughter, Spencer Graham, was just two years old when her mother disappeared. For most of her life, she lived with the story that Joann had simply run away.
"The story we got growing up was that she just left. She couldn't be a mom anymore," Spencer said. "We weren't living with her at the time. Her boyfriend called us after she was supposed to see us for Easter, 1992 and said she just took off with his car, money, and camera. So that was the story we believed."
Recently, they learned everything they knew was wrong. Joann Zamora died sometime before her 29th birthday.
Her remains were discovered in September 1992 off West Rittenhouse Road in North Houston. Despite efforts by law enforcement, her identity could not be confirmed at the time. She was ultimately buried in the Harris County Cemetery, her grave marked only as "Unknown."
It wasn't until last year that Moxxy Forensic Investigations, a nonprofit organization, took on the cold case. Using DNA extracted from the remains by Intermountain Forensics, a lab in Utah, and advanced genealogical mapping, the team was able to construct family trees that eventually led them to the Zamora family.
"Families deserve answers," said Katie Thomas, co-founder of Moxxy Forensic Investigations. "Our eight genealogists went to work, building out family trees for DNA matches to find connections and common ancestors that we eventually continued to build down to find the Zamora family."
In July of this year, Spencer and her family received the news they never expected. Joann had not abandoned them.
"It makes me feel sad that I believed what I believed for the majority of my life," Spencer said. "I finally have answers I never thought I would have. But now it leads to more questions."
According to Moxxy, Joann was the victim of a homicide. The Houston Police Department would only tell ABC13 that the Cold Case Unit is investigating Joann Zamora's death.
As for Spencer, the news has brought grief, but also connection. She's now seeing photos of her and her mother for the first time.
"She loved Christmas, and Mr. Gatti's Pizza," Spencer shared. "She was just a fun person, who had her faults but she loved life."
Spencer credits Moxxy and the generosity of crowdfunding donors, like Criminal Coffee Co., for making the identification possible. Now, she hopes the renewed attention on her mother's case will lead to justice.
"We just want to know what happened, even if it's hard to hear,"
Investigators say they have identified 1992 murder victim's remains in N. Houston wooded area
For more than three decades, the identity of a woman found dead in a wooded area of North Houston remained a mystery. Known only as a Jane Doe, her story had no name, until now.
abc13.com