Authorities have identified the remains of an unidentified woman found in Kern County, Calif., in June 1978

NEED TO KNOW

• Michelle Louise Collier, 15, was identified nearly 50 years after her remains were found in a California vineyard

• Advanced DNA technology and genealogy databases helped solve the case after previous efforts failed to identify the teenager

• Michelle’s family expressed gratitude for the closure and plans to give her a proper burial after decades of uncertainty

A cold case involving an unidentified teenager found dead at a California vineyard has finally been solved nearly 50 years later.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) announced in a news release on Facebook on Thursday, July 30, that the body of a young woman discovered in a Kern County vineyard in June 1978 has been identified as that of 15-year-old Michelle Louise Collier of Fresno.

The skeletal remains of Michelle were found buried in a shallow grave at the vineyard by a tractor driver, KTLA reported.

The homicide case went cold after the victim couldn’t be identified through fingerprints or dental X-rays and DNA technology wasn’t advanced enough to link anyone to the case, according to the KCSO.

The case reopened in 2007 and the remains were exhumed to obtain a DNA sample, which was submitted to the California Department of Justice. No family references existed in the databases to make a DNA match, so the case went cold again.

The case remained open for several years until a breakthrough was made using Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), per the release.

“This was made possible due to the ongoing collaborative efforts of KCSO homicide detectives, KCSO coroner’s office, NCMEC, California DOJ, and a private sector company (Othram),” said KCSO. “Othram offered FIGG … KCSO requested CA DOJ to send the samples for further testing.”

The KCSO described FIGG as “a powerful investigative tool that combines advanced DNA analysis with traditional genealogical research.”

Kern County Sheriff’s homicide detective Ashley Thompson said at a press conference on July 28 that the circumstances surrounding Michelle’s death “remains unknown,” and the investigation is continuing, per KGET TV 17 Bakersfield. 

Michelle’s older sister, Cynthia Dunbar, said at the press conference that her brother Kevin, his wife Nancy and her cousin Michael submitted their DNA to the genealogy database, which led to identifying Michelle as the victim.

Cynthia also thanked the KCSO detectives for finally solving the case.

“[Michelle] disappeared 48 years ago and it was only recently that we knew where she was. At least with this information my family has some closure,” she said. “Due to the detectives’ dedication, perseverance and attention to detail, we could bring our sister home and have a proper burial.”

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“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,” the KCSO said. “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.”

PEOPLE has reached out to the KCSO for further comment.

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