In a remarkable breakthrough, Othram, a forensic laboratory specializing in Genetic Genealogy, has helped identify a woman found dead in a San Diego ravine nearly three decades ago. The woman, wearing a blue T-shirt reading “Woodruff Warriors 20-year reunion 1971–1991,” had remained unidentified for 27 years. 

Thanks to DNA testing and forensic genealogy, she has now been identified as Alicia Ledezma Sanchez, according to the El Cajon Police Department.

Breakthrough Identification Through Genetic Genealogy

Read more about Othram’s work on their official site at Othram.com and follow updates from the El Cajon Police Department.

“This case is a compelling demonstration of how the combination of forensic genetic genealogy and public participation can bring resolution to even the most complex cold cases,” Othram said in a statement.

A 1998 Cold Case Revisited

The woman’s body was discovered in August 1998 in a ravine in the Avocado area of El Cajon, California. Her remains were badly decomposed, and investigators determined she had been dead for about six weeks. Police ruled the case a homicide, but no leads surfaced for years.

At the time, the victim was believed to be white or Hispanic, about 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 110 pounds, and in her 30s. She was wearing a silver herringbone bracelet and black shoes, and investigators noted that she had experienced at least one pregnancy.

Despite multiple efforts — including a forensic reconstruction in 2003 and a DNA profile developed in 2008 — the woman’s identity remained a mystery.

The Role of Technology 

In 2022, the Cold Case Unit in El Cajon joined forces with Othram and Parabon NanoLabs to reexamine the evidence using advanced DNA technology. Through Genetic Genealogy and phenotyping, researchers discovered the victim had likely familial connections to Michoacán de Ocampo, Mexico, and possibly relatives in the San Diego area.

A distant relative helped share the case in a Facebook group for people from Michoacán, leading a potential family member to come forward. DNA testing soon confirmed a match with the woman’s son, finally giving her a name after nearly 30 years.

Murder investigation Heats Up

While Alicia Ledezma Sanchez has finally been identified, investigators have not yet announced any suspects in her homicide. The El Cajon Police Department continues to encourage anyone with information to reach out to authorities.

As Othram noted, “Every solved case is not only a victory for science but also a restoration of dignity for the victims and their families.”