Investigators Identify 1973 Cold Case Victim Rebecca McMahan Through Genetic Genealogy
Human remains discovered in 1974 in Desert Hot Springs, California, have been identified as Rebecca Jean McMahan, who was 19 years old when last seen on July 3, 1973. The identification was made possible through genetic genealogy testing by a regional cold case team in 2024. Forensic investigators at Othram built a genetic profile from bone samples and cross-referenced it with consumer ancestry databases. This led to a possible match with a close relative in California, from whom a voluntary DNA sample confirmed McMahan's identity. McMahan, also known as Becky McMahan and Becky Solis, was last seen in Bell Gardens, California, and had mentioned traveling to Palm Springs for a vacation. Between 1969 and 1973, she resided in Bellingham, Washington, and the California towns of Bell, Cudahy, and Commerce. She is described as a white woman with long brown hair, hazel eyes, standing 5'3" or 5'4", weighing 120–145 lbs, and having an 'SS' tattoo on her ankle and a butterfly tattoo on her right chest. 
