Woman murdered in California in 1986 identified through genetic genealogy

A woman who was mercilessly murdered and dumped near campsites on California’s Pacific Crest Trail nearly 40 years ago has finally been identified by police using DNA testing.

The decomposing remains of Claudette Jean Zebolsky Powers were found near the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in Warner Springs on February 16, 1986.

Genetic genealogy, which involves entering a DNA profile into a public database to find relatives, was used to identify Powers – the results sparked new efforts to find his killer.

Powers was born in Michigan in January 1962 and lived with her husband in Washington state in the early 1980s before leaving him and moving to San Diego in 1983 or 1984, her family said.

She was last seen in September 1984 after her father died. Police said they believe she lived in the San Diego area until about February 1986.

Although Powers has been identified, his killer remains at large, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Office, which has asked anyone with information to come forward.

Sergeant Tim Chantler told KFMB-TV that detectives are working hard to put together a timeline of Powers’ life before his death to try to zero in on one suspect.

“It took 37 years to identify who she was, to solve that mystery,” Chantler said.

“Now we have to rebuild his whole life. Where did she live, where did she work and who did she know? Was she dating someone? Who were his friends? This is where we start, a whole new mystery now, as opposed to the one we just solved.

Powers’ younger sister Laura Freese also pleaded for anyone with information to come forward, believing “someone knows something”.

“It’s been very difficult for our family,” Freese said.

‘Someone knows what happened. A neighbor, everyone who knew her knows what happened. If you are still alive and know my sister and what happened to her, please introduce yourself. Please we need closure.

Powers’ decomposing remains were found near the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in Warner Springs on February 16, 1986

Powers was found next to a second body that has yet to be identified. It’s still unclear if the cases are related

DNA was first used to help investigate a criminal case in 1986 and since then hundreds of cases have been solved thanks to advances in genealogical research.

In this case, a DNA profile obtained from a hair sample from Powers was compared to profiles available on commercial websites.

Detectives were able to use it – along with census records and other public information – to create family trees and “track down an individual suspected of being a relative of Claudette”.

Powers’ younger sister Laura Freese also pleaded for anyone with information to come forward, believing “someone knows something”.

Genetic genealogy, which involves entering a DNA profile into a public database to trace relatives, has become a powerful tool for identifying suspects who leave DNA at a crime scene.

The method allowed detectives to eventually connect investigators with Powers’ daughters, sister and mother.

DNA samples collected gave a positive match and helped identify Powers.

Police said this is the seventh time the department’s homicide unit has used investigative genetic genealogy to solve such a case.

Powers was found next to a second body that has yet to be identified. It is still unclear if the cases are related.