July 29, 2026 – Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report that in June 1978, the remains of an unidentified female were discovered in Kern County in an Arvin vineyard, near South Wheeler Ridge Road. Without an identity for the victim, the homicide case went cold, and the victim was known only as Jane Doe. Over the next 48 years, Kern County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) detectives and coroner personnel continued efforts to develop investigative leads as technology and resources advanced. Despite the efforts of KCSO, consultants, and forensic specialists, her identity remained unknown.
When the unidentified remains were recovered in 1978, DNA technology did not exist. Identification depended primarily on fingerprints, and dental records. If those methods were unsuccessful, many cases simply could not move forward, despite the best efforts of investigators. In this case, fingerprint identification was not successful, and although dental X-rays were obtained, no known antemortem dental records existed for comparison, halting the investigation.
Over the past several decades, forensic science has changed dramatically. Advances in DNA analysis, fingerprint technology, dental comparisons, and more recently, Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), have given KCSO the ability to identify individuals in ways that were unimaginable nearly 50 years ago.
In 2007, Coroner personnel discovered DNA samples had not been collected in 1978, leading to the exhumation of the remains to obtain a DNA sample. The specimen was submitted to the California Department of Justice, but without any available family reference DNA in existing databases, no match could be made, and traditional investigative avenues were exhausted. The case remained open until the later development of genetic genealogy provided a new means of identification.
As of July 28, 2026, we are pleased to announce these efforts have resulted in Jane Doe being positively identified as 15-year-old Michelle “Shelley” Louise Collier, of Fresno, CA. Although the investigation continues to identify a suspect, we can provide long-awaited answers to a family that has lived for decades without knowing what happened to their loved one.
This was made possible due to the ongoing collaborative efforts of KCSO homicide detectives, KCSO coroner’s office, NCMEC, California DOJ, and private sector company (Othram). Othram offered Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), which is funded through grants and donations. KCSO requested CA DOJ to send the samples for further testing.
FIGG is a powerful investigative tool that combines advanced DNA analysis with traditional genealogical research. It has helped generate new leads in cold cases and opened doors that were not available decades ago. While every case is unique and not every investigation results in an identification, this technology has become an invaluable resource in our commitment to seeking the truth for victims and their families. Michelle Collier’s identification is a testament to those advancements and to the dedication of KCSO, as well as many individuals and organizations, who never gave up on identifying her.
While we do not have a dedicated Cold Case Unit, our investigators remain committed in solving these cases and generating new leads through innovative technology. We are grateful to finally reunite Michelle with her family after 48 years and to finally restore Michelle’s name and provide her family with long-awaited answers. We remain committed to using every available scientific advancement to identify the unknown, because every person deserves their name, every family deserves answers, and no case is ever truly forgotten.
Every year, thousands of families are left holding an empty space in their hearts, waiting for answers that never seem to come. If you have a missing loved one, you know the crushing weight of that silence. Taking a consumer DNA test is no longer about exploring family trees; it is a profound act of love and a vital lifeline. By choosing to opt in to law enforcement matching comparisons, your genetic profile becomes a beacon in the dark. It is often the only tool capable of giving a name back to the forgotten. Our hope is that continued utilization of FIGG will provide new leads ultimately leading to the resolution of these cases. Doing this can potentially allow law enforcement to identify additional Jane and John Does, piece together broken stories, and finally bring them home.
Michelle's case remains open and the Kern County Sheriff's Office is asking for anyone with information to come forward. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.
Kern County Juvenile Jane Doe 1978 – IDENTIFIED (video)
To view a video summary of the case, visit: https://youtu.be/08oVVZGZyj0.
View Kern County Sheriff's Office press conference video here. Video starts at the 1:45 minutes mark.
Source: Fresno County Sheriff's Office
