By Trend News Line 2024-06-15 17:27:58.
**Identifying the Lake Forest Jane Doe: A 41-Year Journey**
In a breakthrough discovery, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has identified a woman whose remains were found more than four decades ago in Orange County. The case, which dates back to April 1983, when children playing in a storm drain near Canada and Old Trabuco roads in what is now Lake Forest stumbled upon a human skull, has finally reached a resolution.
**Crucial Anthropological Examination**
Following the initial discovery, an excavation was conducted, leading to the recovery of approximately 70% of a female’s human remains. An anthropology examination revealed that the victim was a Black or mixed-race female aged between 18 to 24 years, with a slight build and a distinctive gold tooth. Despite these details, the victim’s identity remained a mystery for over four decades.
**Advancements in DNA Analysis**
In 2022, investigators made significant progress by submitting a DNA sample of the unidentified victim to a laboratory in collaboration with the National Missing and Unidentified Person System. This effort resulted in the successful extraction of a genetic profile, prompting OCSD’s Cold Case investigators to delve into genetic genealogy with the assistance of the FBI.
**A Breakthrough on Social Media**
After numerous unsuccessful attempts to trace the victim’s direct family line, investigators turned to social media in late 2023. By posting forensic renderings of the victim in a Facebook group dedicated to unidentified murder victims and missing women from the 1970s and 1980s, a distant relative was eventually reached. This relative suggested that the renderings be shared within the community, leading to a breakthrough in the case.
**The Identity Revealed**
Approximately a month after the renderings were shared, a woman came forward and identified the Lake Forest Jane Doe as her missing mother. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed the victim’s identity as Maritza Glean Grimmett, a native of Panama. Grimmett had married a U.S. Marine in 1978, given birth to a daughter, and relocated to the United States before mysteriously disappearing in 1979.
**Unsolved Homicide**
While the identification of Maritza brings closure to her family, the case remains open as the perpetrator of this heinous crime is yet to be identified. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is actively investigating Maritza’s homicide and urges anyone with information to come forward. Investigator Bob Taft can be reached at 714-647-7045, or information can be submitted via email to coldcase@ocsheriff.gov.
**Seeking Justice**
For those wishing to provide anonymous tips, O.C. Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 1-855-847-6227, or information can be submitted online at www.occrimestoppers.org. The search for justice continues as authorities work tirelessly to bring closure to this long-standing cold case.
The identification of Maritza Glean Grimmett after 41 years serves as a testament to the persistence and dedication of law enforcement agencies in solving cold cases and bringing closure to families of the victims. As the investigation progresses, the hope for justice grows stronger, paving the way for a resolution in this tragic chapter of Orange County’s history..
1. Victim of 1983 murder identified 41 years later
2. Victim of murder identified years later.