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A woman whose body was discovered on a Southern California highway more than 25 years ago has finally been identified as a 41-year-old mother-of-four.
Investigators in Riverside County used genetic genealogy to positively identify Juana Rosas-Zagal as the woman whose remains were discovered in January 1996.
After the remains were found along the 60 freeway near Moreno Valley, authorities released a composite sketch of the woman’s likeness to no avail from the public.
Police are now looking for the person responsible for her homicide.
‘He destroyed my family. He didn’t kill only one person, he killed all of us,’ one of Rosas-Zagal’s daughters said in an audio recording provided by the DA’s Office.
Investigators in Riverside County, California, have identified Juana Rosas-Zagal (pictured) as the woman whose remains were found on the side of a SoCal highway in 1996
After the remains were found, authorities released a composite sketch of the woman’s likeness
Rosas-Zagal’s body was discovered east of Gilman Springs Road near the Moreno Valley in California
Rosas-Zagal was a Los Angeles resident at the time of her death.
‘Her body was found on the side of the road in a trash pile, and we believe she had been killed at that location (hours earlier),’ investigator Jason Corey said in 2022.
No information was given on how she died, but authorities confirmed she was the victim of a homicide.
For decades, the case lacked leads and the victim went unidentified.
In December, however, the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team identified Rosas-Zagal thanks to genetic testing.
‘Using current DNA technologies, such as Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, the team was able to locate a close ancestral link,’ the DA’s office.
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Riverside Country District Attorney Mike Hestrin and Supervising Investigator James Campos announced the update on Monday during a Facebook video update.
The pair said investigators used technology that utilizes ‘direct-to-consumer databases to explore the ancestral ties of unidentified homicide victims.’
Prior to the December discovery, Rosas-Zagal’s daughters had reportedly given up on ever finding out what happened to their mother.
Thanks to genetic testing, and databases such as the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, a link was positively made.
A crime scene photo shared by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office
Riverside Country DA Mike Hestrin (left) and Supervising Investigator James Campos (right) announced the update in the case in a video on Facebook
Investigators are now asking for anyone who may have information on her disappearance and death to come forward.
‘I really really wish if somebody knows something, they can let us know,’ Rosas-Zagal’s daughter said in the audio recording shared by the DA’s office.
‘Because for me, all of this is so difficult, but at the same time, I really want to know who killed my mother,’ the woman said.
Those who have info are asked to call detectives at 951-955-0740 or 951-955-2777.
‘Detectives believe there are still friends, neighbors or colleagues of Juana who may be able to provide more information to help clarify Juana’s disappearance,’ the D.A.’s office said.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
