Arizona authorities hope DNA can identify 1971 cold case victim

MOHAVE COUNTY, Arizona — Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a woman found dead in the Arizona desert decades ago.

According to Mohave County Sheriff’s office, investigators hope advanced DNA testing and genome sequencing could help identify the 1971 victim by working with Othram Inc.

Even though the DNA profile is created, police said they need to raise $7,500 to connect the female victim’s profile to national databases across the county to connect her to possible family members.

“MCSO has already committed $1,000 to the cause and is asking for assistance from the community to give her justice and provide closure to her family, who has been looking for her,” reads the release.

On Jan. 23, 1971, the female victim was found in the desert near a dirt road east of US Highway 93 on Hackberry Road. She was found in a white cotton canvas sack that was tied at the top with a white cotton rope. The sack had “Deer-Pak Ames Harris NevilleCo.” printed on it in green.

The victim was approximately 40 years old, 5’4″, and weighed 125 to 140 pounds with curly brown hair, according to MCSO.

“She was dressed in a size 14 multi-colored long sleeve blouse, a black longsleeved black cardigan sweater, and burnt orange stretch pants with the following tab inside, “‘Symphony, It’s what’s happening” size 12,” reads the 2021 release. “She was wearing a pair of black leather, ankle-high boots, and bobby sox, possibly white at one time. The victim was not wearing any type of jewelry.”

If you wish to donate to identify the female victim, you can visit the DNASolves website.*

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*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.