As a tractor driver cultivated a California grape vineyard in June 1978, he made a bleak discovery: a shallow grave.
The human remains unearthed in Arvin, a small farming city southeast of Bakersfield, California, remained unidentified for nearly 50 years. Now, thanks to advances in DNA technology
, authorities have identified the victim as Michelle Louise Collier, 15, of Fresno, California, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office.“(Michelle) disappeared 48 years ago, and it was only recently that we knew where she was," Collier's older sister, Cynthia Dunbar, said during a July 28 news conference. "At least with this information, my family has some closure."
Kern County Sheriff's Office Detective Ashley Thompson called the identification
"a significant milestone" but investigators are still seeking answers about how Collier died.
"Identifying Michelle is an important step, but the circumstances surrounding her death remain unknown," Thompson said at the news conference.
Human remains found in California vineyard
The investigation began in June 1978 when a tractor driver discovered human remains buried in a shallow grave in an Arvin-area vineyard and alerted local authorities.
Investigators determined the remains were those of a teenage or young adult female who appeared to have been dead for several months. She was "found wearing two white metal necklaces around her neck (one with a round religious medallion),” according to the sheriff's office.
The remains were taken to the Kern County Coroner's Office, where an autopsy was conducted, the sheriff's office said. Though the pathologist could not determine a cause of death, the death was ruled a homicide.
Investigators obtained fingerprints and dental radiographs but were unable to identify the victim, according to the sheriff's office. After months without answers, she was buried as a Jane Doe at Arvin Cemetery in November 1978.
Case reopened decades later
Nearly 30 years later, investigators reopened the case and exhumed the remains from Arvin Cemetery in August 2007 in hopes of identifying the victim through DNA testing, according to the sheriff's office.
In February 2008, a California State University, Bakersfield, anthropologist determined the Jane Doe was between 15 and 24 years old when she died, the sheriff's office said. DNA samples were submitted to the California Department of Justice and compared with missing-person cases involving females with similar characteristics, but no matches were found.
Despite additional efforts to identify Jane Doe, including comparing dental records and fingerprints and entering her information into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, investigators were unable to determine her identity. Her remains were later reinterred.
Additional work began in 2015 after Project ALERT, a National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) program that uses retired law enforcement officers to review unresolved cases, contacted the sheriff's office.
As part of the review, investigators examined "numerous missing person cases," authorities said. A forensic artist with the NCMEC also created a facial reconstruction of Jane Doe, which was distributed online and through social media, according to the sheriff's office.
Forensic odontologists reviewed the victim's dental records, authorities said. While they were able to eliminate one possible match, no new leads emerged.
Authorities continued to try to identify Jane Doe, including sharing a flyer for the unidentified victim on social media ahead of a missing persons awareness event in 2019. Still, no one could put a name to the Jane Doe.
Genetic genealogy breakthrough
In March 2025, investigators set their sights on a new technology in hopes of identifying Jane Doe: forensic investigative genetic genealogy.
"(Forensic investigative genetic genealogy) is a powerful investigative tool that combines advanced DNA analysis with traditional genealogical research," Thompson said. "It has helped generate new leads in cases that had long-reached investigative dead ends and opened doors that were not available decades ago."
The sheriff's office partnered with forensic DNA company Othram and had the California Department of Justice send a bone sample for testing. Scientists developed a DNA profile from the bone and used genealogy databases to search for potential relatives, according to the company.
In August 2025, Othram notified investigators that genetic genealogy had identified potential relatives of Jane Doe. Investigators contacted several possible relatives, including a woman believed to be the victim's mother, who submitted a DNA sample for testing.
In October 2025, testing confirmed that the victim was the woman's daughter, Collier, who Thompson said went missing in February 1978. According to Dunbar, the breakthrough was made possible because her half-brother and a cousin submitted their DNA to a genealogy database.
Authorities formally notified Collier's family of her identification in April. Her remains were later disinterred and returned to her surviving siblings in July.
"To our sister, Michelle, you didn't deserve to die this way, Shelley," Dunbar said. "Barely 15 years old, still a child, with your whole life ahead of you. I'm sorry that we didn't protect you, but you're with Daddy now in heaven, just as you always wanted. We love you, Shelley."
'Law enforcement will find you and hold you accountable'
Though Collier has been identified, the investigation into her death remains open. No suspects have been named, according to the sheriff's office.
"To the person who killed our sister: The shock of finding out we lost our sister to a homicide is overwhelming to our entire family, especially our 85-year-old mother Maria. Your cowardice act affected our entire family," Dunbar said.
"But make no mistake; law enforcement will find you and hold you accountable. Whether you are already incarcerated or dead, you will be found," she added.
Authorities are asking anyone who knew Collier or has information about her disappearance or death to contact Thompson at 661-861-3110 or the Secret Witness line at 661-322-4040.
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: DNA helps identify teenager found in California vineyard in 1978
