“Skeletal Remains of Woman Born in 1864 Found in 1980s Plastic Bag Identified”

By Trend News Line 2024-05-30 16:18:01.

**Victorian-Era Mystery Solved: Gertrude Elliott-Littlehale identified**

In a groundbreaking development, skeletal remains found in a plastic bag in California back in 1985 have finally been identified as those of Gertrude Elliott-Littlehale, a woman who lived during the American Civil War era and passed away over a century ago. The discovery was made possible by the relentless efforts of Othram, a lab dedicated to solving cold cases through forensic genetic genealogy.

**Decades-Long Cold Case**

The partial skeletal remains were initially discovered in October 1985, near Channel Islands Harbor in California. At that time, authorities determined that the bones belonged to a woman aged between 35 and 50, but no further information was available. Despite efforts by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the case, it remained unsolved for decades.

**Breakthrough in 2023**

In 2016, the case information was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, and a facial reconstruction was created in hopes of generating new leads. However, it wasn’t until May 2023 that a major breakthrough occurred. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office-Cold Case Unit collaborated with Othram to submit forensic evidence from the case for analysis.

**Scientific Breakthrough**

Othram’s team of scientists successfully extracted DNA from the remains and conducted forensic-grade genome sequencing, allowing them to create a comprehensive DNA profile. This profile was crucial in connecting with potential relatives of the deceased, eventually leading to the identification of Gertrude Elliott-Littlehale.

**The Story of Gertrude Elliott-Littlehale**

Born in 1864 during the tumultuous period of the American Civil War, Gertrude Elliott-Littlehale lived a life shrouded in mystery until her remains were finally identified in 2023. Tragically, her final resting place had been disturbed, with her grave desecrated and her skull missing. The plastic bag in which her remains were found dates back to the 1960s and 70s, a stark reminder of the passage of time.

**Legacy of Closure**

With Gertrude Elliott-Littlehale’s identity finally revealed, the question remains of what the sheriff’s office plans to do with the now-identified remains. This case marks the 38th instance in California where Othram’s technology has been instrumental in identifying individuals, highlighting the impact of modern forensic techniques in solving cold cases.

**Continued Efforts**

The successful identification of Gertrude Elliott-Littlehale adds to a growing list of cases where Othram’s innovative approach has brought closure to families and justice to victims. From Rodney Rumsey, missing since the 1980s, to Sherman George, whose body remained unidentified until last year, these advancements in forensic genetic genealogy continue to shed light on long-forgotten mysteries.

In conclusion, the resolution of Gertrude Elliott-Littlehale’s case stands as a testament to the power of modern technology in uncovering the secrets of the past and providing closure to families who have long awaited answers..

– skeletal remains found plastic bag
– woman born in 1864.