Identified After 48 Years: The Michelle Louise Collier Case (BREAKING NEWS)

In this special episode of Forensic Tales, we’re covering a forensic breakthrough announced just days ago. In June 1978, skeletal remains belonging to a young woman were discovered buried in a shallow grave in a grape vineyard near Arvin, California. Investigators collected what evidence they could, but fingerprints, dental records, and eventually traditional DNA testing failed to reveal her identity. For nearly 48 years, she was known only as the Arvin Jane Doe. Then investigators turned to forensic genetic genealogy. With the help of advanced DNA testing and Othram, investigators were eventually led to the family of 15-year-old Michelle Louise Collier, who had disappeared from Fresno in February 1978. In this episode, we break down the original investigation, the 2007 exhumation and DNA testing, the facial reconstruction created to help identify her, how forensic genetic genealogy finally solved the mystery of her identity, and the questions investigators are now trying to answer about who killed Michelle. Michelle finally has her name back—but her murder remains unsolved. Anyone with information about Michelle Louise Collier, her disappearance, or her death is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110. Learn more about forensic genetic genealogy and help fund DNA testing for unsolved cases: https://dnasolves.com Forensic Tales proudly makes a monthly contribution to support this work. ️Follow Forensic Tales wherever you listen to podcasts, and make sure you’re following the show so you don’t miss future updates in Michelle’s case. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.