Human remains discovered in the Stanislaus River in 2015 have been identified as Anita Kathleen Ranker, giving a name to a California cold case that remained unresolved for nearly 11 years.
For San Joaquin County readers following developments involving the Stanislaus River region, the identification provides an answer to one part of the case while leaving another unresolved. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into Anita Kathleen Ranker’s death is continuing and that a person of interest has been identified.
Here is how the case unfolded, based on information released by the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office.
Before 2000: Investigators believe Ranker disappeared
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office said Anita Kathleen Ranker was never reported missing but is believed to
have disappeared before 2000. She was living in the Murphys area at the time of her death, deputies said.
Anita Kathleen Ranker was born Feb. 18, 1969, in Santa Clara County.
October 2015: Remains are found near Parrotts Ferry Bridge
Drought had driven the Stanislaus River to historic lows when human remains were discovered below Parrotts Ferry Bridge in October 2015, according to the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators could not identify the remains, and the case eventually went cold.
Years before in the same vicinity, FBI officials conducting an organized-crime investigation pulled four bodies from the waters of New Melones Lake below the Parrotts Ferry Bridge. Investigators were exploring if there was a link between that investigation and the discovery of the body of Los Angeles real estate developer Meyer Muscatel, who disappeared after telling his daughter he had to meet some people at a business meeting. A boater in New Melones spotted Muscatel's body in October 2001 with a plastic bag over his head.
In March 2002, the bodies of four people — Khareba “Nick" Kharabadze, 29, of Woodland Hills; Georgy Safiev, 37, of Beverly Hills; Alexander Umansky, 35, of North Hollywood; and Rita Pekler, 39, of Encino — were recovered from the lake. Authorities later said they were the victims of a botched kidnap-for-ransom ring. A later indictment returned by a federal grand jury alleged a fifth kidnapping, that of Muscatel.
2021: Cold Case Task Force reopens the investigation
The case was reopened in 2021 following the creation of the Calaveras Cold Case Task Force, deputies said.
Investigators hoped advances in forensic science could help identify the woman. Over the following years, the remains were sent to multiple laboratories seeking DNA suitable for forensic genetic genealogy.
“Through the continued efforts of the Calaveras Cold Case Task Force and the use of modern forensic technology, investigators have been able to provide long-awaited answers regarding the identity of a woman who remained unknown for far too long,” the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office said.
2021 to 2026: Laboratories work to recover DNA
Extracting DNA was difficult because the remains had deteriorated after being underwater for years, deputies said.
Resolve Forensics of Utah worked on the case for three years and made significant progress toward extracting DNA suitable for forensic genetic genealogy, according to the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office.
The Library of Congress, as cited in the original report, describes genetic genealogy as combining DNA testing with traditional genealogical methods to create family-history profiles and help determine how people may be biologically related.
June 2026: Investigators get usable DNA
In June, Astrea Forensics in California successfully extracted usable DNA, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office said.
Identifinders International, a private consulting firm, then used forensic investigative genetic genealogy to locate potential relatives. Those relatives provided a DNA reference sample, and comparison of the samples confirmed that the remains belonged to Anita Kathleen Ranker, deputies said.
“Every unidentified person represents a family, friends, and a life story that deserves to be known,” Sheriff Rachelle Whiting said. “The identification of Parrotts Ferry Jane Doe is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the Cold Case Task Force and the forensic partners who continued working toward the goal of restoring Anita Ranker’s name.”
September 2026: Identification announced, investigation continues
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office announced the identification in a Sept. 14 post.
The investigation into Anita Kathleen Ranker’s death remains ongoing, and a person of interest has been identified, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office said. The agency did not identify that person in the supplied report.
Task force members are continuing to “gather additional information, identify those responsible, and bring accountability for the crime committed against her,” deputies said.
Anyone with information about Anita Kathleen Ranker or her death may contact the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office at 209-754-6500. Anonymous tips may be submitted at 209-754-6030.
This story was produced by Elizabeth Roberts, eroberts@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: She was unidentified for nearly 11 years. DNA restored her name
