Authorities have identified Kern County's 1978 Jane Doe as 15-year-old Fresno teen Michelle Louise Collier, nearly 48 years after her remains were found in an Arvin vineyard. (Kern County SO)
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Nearly 48 years after the remains of an unidentified teenage girl were found in a Kern County vineyard, authorities have identified the victim as 15-year-old Michelle Louise Collier of Fresno.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office said Michelle’s remains were discovered in June 1978 in an Arvin vineyard near South Wheeler Ridge Road. Her homicide remained unsolved for decades as investigators were unable to identify her using the technology available at the time.
Authorities said fingerprint identification was unsuccessful, and although dental X-rays were obtained, no antemortem dental records were available for comparison. In 2007, investigators exhumed the remains after discovering DNA samples had not been collected in 1978. The DNA was submitted to the California Department of Justice, but no match was found because no family reference DNA existed in available databases.
The breakthrough came through Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, or FIGG, which combines advanced DNA analysis with genealogical research. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office worked with the California Department of Justice, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Kern County Coroner’s Office and private forensic company Othram to identify Michelle.
Sheriff’s officials said the identification allows them to provide long-awaited answers to Michelle’s family after decades of uncertainty.
Got a Tip?
The homicide investigation remains open, and authorities are asking anyone with information about Michelle Collier’s case to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.
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