Mysterious human skull found 32 years ago on California beach identified
Share this @internewscast.com

(KRON) — A forensic genetic genealogy team has uncovered a mystery behind a partial human skull found 32 years ago on a beach in Northern California.

The woman’s skull was spotted near Trinidad Head, a rocky structure in Trinidad Harbor, in 1993. At the time, a traditional DNA profile was developed and entered into the National Unidentified Person DNA Index, and no match was made.

In 2024, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office submitted evidence to Othram’s laboratory in Texas, hoping that advanced DNA testing could identify the woman. Othram scientists developed a DNA extract from the skeletal evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a new DNA profile for the unknown woman.

Several months later, Othram provided HCSO with new leads.

“Investigators used this report to launch a follow-up investigation and locate a potential relative. The California Department of Justice compared the relative’s DNA profile to the DNA profile developed from the skull, which confirmed that the skull belonged to Kay Josephine Medin,” DNASolves.com, a website affiliated with Othram, Inc., wrote Monday.

Kay Medin also went by the name Kay Adams. She was reported missing in August 1987 after she vanished from her home in Trinity County.

Medin worked as a school teacher in Hyampom, and her boss said she was in good spirits the last time he saw her.

Trinidad Head beach (Getty Images / File)

The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office listed Kay’s disappearance as suspicious.

“In November of 1987, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a package in the US mail. The package contained skeletal remains and an anonymous letter. The letter gave directions leading to more human remains. The directions lead to a location near Ammon Ridge Road in Humboldt County. Detectives responded to the location given in the letter and discovered additional human remains, about 45 miles west of her home. These remains were later identified as belonging to Kay Medin through a comparison of dental records,” DNASolves.com wrote.

A death certificate was issued for Kay Medin in 1988 while her skull was still missing.

“It is unclear how the majority of her remains were found 45 miles from her home or how her skull was found almost 100 miles away,” DNASolves.com wrote.

Today, her death remains an unsolved homicide cold case.

Kristen Mittelman, chief development officer for Othram Labs, said, “We’re proud to be able to help investigators give these victims their names back, and hopefully move the investigation forward toward resolution. That’s the most important thing.”

Anyone with information that could help solve this cold case is encouraged to call the Humboldt Sheriff’s Office.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

South Carolina Voter Registry Update Marks Thousands as ‘Inactive’

In Columbia, South Carolina, September 170,000 residents have been labeled as “inactive”…

Augusta Charter Committee Faces Disagreement on Recommended Changes Requiring Two-Thirds Vote

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – “Because you are in violation of law.” A…

“Champaign Residents Rally to End Community Gun Violence”

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In Champaign-Urbana, community members are seeking solutions to…

Search for Travis Decker Reaches Standstill After Alleged “Sighting”

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Authorities are investigating a reported sighting of Travis Decker in…

Suspect Allegedly Takes Car with Sleeping Kids from Akron Parking Lot: Authorities

AKRON, Ohio (WJW) – The Akron Police Department is looking for a…

Elizabethton Relocates Weekly Car Show to Nearby Block

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Elizabethton City Council discussed the Cruise In…

SPD Detains Suspect Linked to May Assault

The Savannah Police Department (SPD) detained an individual on Wednesday regarding a…

Kerrville Lacks Weather Sirens Found in Other Cities

AUSTIN (KXAN) – At a Friday news conference, Kerr County Judge Rob…

Augusta Residents Voice Concerns at Charter Review Meeting

AUGUSTA, Ga () – The Charter Review Committee is in the process…

Teenager missing for almost two weeks was last spotted in Chicago

CHICAGO A search continues this week for a teen girl who Chicago…

Recently Released from ICE Custody, Mahmoud Khalil Sues Trump Administration for $20 Million

NEW YORK – One afternoon, Mahmoud Khalil found himself in his Manhattan…

New Data Reveals Detention Centers Exceeding Capacity Limits

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — A recent report indicates that migrants detained…