Breakthrough in DNA Testing Identifies 1986 Murder Victim, Ignites Hunt for Killer in California

After decades of uncertainty, a breakthrough in DNA testing has finally provided the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit with the means to identify a woman whose body was discovered in California back in 1986.

Breakthrough in DNA testing has led members of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit to finally identify the body of a woman who was found dead in California in 1986. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Breakthrough in DNA Testing Identifies Murder Victim

The remains of the woman were initially found near campsites on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in Warner Springs, a picturesque location along the Pacific Crest Trail, on February 16, 1986.

Despite extensive efforts, law enforcement authorities had been unable to determine the identity of the victim until recently through a breakthrough in DNA testing.

On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office officially announced that the remains belong to Claudette Jean Zebolsky Powers, who was born in Michigan in January 1962. She was identified through breakthrough in DNA testing, CBS News reported.

Before her tragic death, Powers resided in Washington State with her husband during the early 1980s.

She eventually left her spouse and relocated to San Diego in either 1983 or 1984, according to information provided by her family. Powers’ last known communication occurred in September 1984, shortly after her father’s passing. It is believed that she resided in the San Diego area until approximately February 1986.

The identification of Powers was made possible through a technique known as investigative genetic genealogy, which played a crucial role in this breakthrough in DNA testing, according to the sheriff’s office.

This method is only employed when all other avenues, such as reviewing missing persons‘ records, have proven unsuccessful. It involves uploading DNA recovered from a crime scene to consumer genealogy websites, enabling the identification of family members of both victims and suspects alike.

In Powers’ case, DNA extracted from a hair sample was compared against available profiles on commercial genealogy platforms. By combining this information with census records and other publicly accessible data, detectives successfully constructed family trees, ultimately leading them to an individual believed to be a relative of Claudette.

Subsequent interactions with this relative allowed investigators to connect with Powers’ daughters, sister, and mother, with DNA samples conclusively confirming the match and facilitating the identification of the remains.

Remarkably, this marks the seventh time that the department’s homicide unit has relied on investigative genetic genealogy to resolve a case.

READ ALSO: Shocking Turn Of Events: Florida Mom Covers A Crime By Blaming Her 7-Year-Old Daughter

Breakthrough in DNA Testing Opens Brand New Mystery

The significant breakthrough in DNA testing has now opened a “brand new mystery” for officials as they strive to uncover the identity of the perpetrator responsible for her untimely demise.

While the identification of Powers’ body through a breakthrough in DNA Testing, marks a significant milestone, the search for her killer remains ongoing, as emphasized by the sheriff’s office.

Urging members of the public to come forward with any relevant information, officials revealed that dedicated detectives have been tirelessly working on this case for several decades since the discovery of Powers’ remains.

Sergeant Tim Chantler, speaking to  CBS affiliate KFMB-TV , explained that investigators are currently piecing together a comprehensive timeline of Powers’ life leading up to her tragic end.

Additionally, a second body was discovered near where Powers’ remains were found. According to the sheriff’s office, this unidentified murder victim was located “around the same time and area,” suggesting a potential connection between the cases.

Law enforcement officials are now working diligently to determine the truth behind these perplexing and tragic events that have remained unresolved for so many years.

READ ALSO: Assault Suspect Charged After Shoving Premier League Manager Eddie Howe