After over a dozen years of being unidentified, the skeletal remains of a woman found in Redding, California in 2013 have been successfully identified as Velma Louise Silva Lee, thanks to advanced forensic DNA testing. Lee had been missing for years before her identification, providing her family with the closure they long sought.
What Happened
In March 2013, workers discovered skeletal remains in a remote area near the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District Canal in Redding, California. Despite a thorough investigation, law enforcement, including the Redding Police Department and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, could not identify the remains. The Shasta County Coroner’s Office later determined the remains were likely those of a woman between the ages of 35 and 70, standing 4’10” to 5’4″ tall. While it was unclear how long the remains had been there, the location was known to be frequented by transients.
The case remained unresolved for years until new investigative tools were employed. In partnership with Othram, a forensic DNA company, authorities applied advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy techniques to create a comprehensive DNA profile from the skeletal remains.
The Breakthrough
Othram scientists successfully extracted DNA from the remains and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a profile. Their in-house forensic genetic genealogy team conducted a search that led to potential relatives of the woman. After comparing DNA samples from a potential relative to the woman’s profile, the identification was confirmed. The woman was identified as Velma Louise Silva Lee, a resident of Napa, California.
Velma Lee’s Background
Velma Lee, born in 1936, had not been heard from in many years by her family. A private investigator had been hired to search for her in the early 2000s, but after finding no proof of life, she was declared legally deceased in 2003-2004. Her family had no answers until now, and with this new identification, they can now provide her with a proper burial.
Funding and Support
The identification was made possible through funding from NamUs, a national program supporting the resolution of missing and unidentified persons cases. NamUs is funded by the National Institute of Justice and managed by Research Triangle Institute International. Ongoing efforts in forensic investigations can also benefit from public participation through databases like DNASolves.
Closing Line:
The identification of Velma Louise Silva Lee represents the 70th case solved in California through Othram’s technology, and it offers hope that more cases can be resolved with the help of DNA databases and forensic advances. Her family now has the peace of knowing her fate, marking the end of a long search.
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