Priya PatelTLDR:
– The remains of a teenager found over 50 years ago have been identified as a young woman missing from Portland through advanced DNA technology.
– Sandra Young, a high school student who disappeared in 1968 or 1969, has now been identified after 54 years.
Remains found over 50 years ago identified through DNA technology as Oregon teen
The Oregon State Police have identified the remains of Sandra Young, a teenager who went missing in 1968 or 1969, through advanced DNA technology. Young’s skeleton was found on Sauvie Island in the Columbia River over 50 years ago by a Boy Scout troop leader. Investigators believed foul play was involved due to trauma to her body, but the circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unknown.
In 2004, Young’s remains were moved to the state medical examiner facility and underwent initial DNA testing with no genetic associations found. However, in 2021, DNA company Parabon NanoLabs was able to generate a prediction of Young’s facial characteristics. Through genetic genealogy databases like GEDMatch, a potential distant family member of Young was identified in 2023, leading to further matches and the eventual confirmation that the remains belonged to Young.
While genetic genealogy has shown successful results in cold cases like Young’s, the cost can be significant, with each case potentially costing up to $10,000. The identification of Young’s remains marks a significant step in bringing closure to her family and highlights the importance of utilizing advanced DNA technology in solving cold cases.
