Human remains found in California identified as 13 year old girl who disappeared 50 years ago
Human remains discovered in a California riverbed have been confirmed as those of a teenager who disappeared 50 years ago. Nearly three decades ago, partial skeleton fragments were unearthed in a Watsonville, California riverbed, with the victim's identity remaining unknown. The Independent reports that officials couldn't determine who the person was, though DNA analysis confirmed the remains belonged to a female.
Years later, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office collaborated with Othram, a forensic laboratory, for additional testing. In a Facebook announcement, the Sheriff's Office revealed that the body was identified as a 13-year-old girl who vanished from New York in 1975.
"Laura O'Malley was reported missing in New York in August of 1975, and her family had not heard from her since," stated the sheriff's office. "It is not known when, or how, Laura O'Malley arrived in California."
According to the post, authorities re-examined the case in 2019, conducting carbon dating tests that indicated the teenager was born in 1960, with her death estimated to have occurred "between 1977 and 1984."
"From 2022 to 2023, our office used advanced genetic genealogy to identify potential family members," they explained, which ultimately led to a significant development. "Partnering with Othram, a leader in forensic DNA analysis, we were able to develop new investigative leads."
The cause of death remains unknown as the Sheriff's Office stated that the "circumstances surrounding her death are still under investigation," adding they were "deeply grateful" that technological advancements had given Laura's family "long-awaited answers."
A 1978 article from the New York Daily Times, published three years after Laura's disappearance, mentioned she had two sisters and one brother. The newspaper reported that she and her siblings left their Long Island residence following an allegedly difficult relationship with their stepfather. The 13-year-old reportedly wrote a note to her mother saying she wouldn't come back if her stepfather remained there.
The couple eventually separated, and her family believed Laura was unaware of this, confident she would return home had she known.
"Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call our dispatch at 831-471-1121," the Sheriff's Office statement concluded.
Another historical missing persons case recently resolved involved father-of-six Alfred Swinscoe, who visited the Miners Arms bar in Nottinghamshire, UK in January 1967 and then disappeared without a trace.
Tragically, authorities discovered that two individuals suspected of murder have since passed away. Alfred's remains were located in April 2023.
