DNA process aids in identifying long-unidentified remains in Oklahoma cold cases

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Investigators in Oklahoma are using a cutting-edge forensic method to identify remains in decades-old cold cases, including a case in Canadian County involving a woman missing for almost 40 years.

This development reflects a broader shift in cold-case investigations, as advances in DNA technology now allow law enforcement to re-examine evidence collected long before modern methods existed.

The Canadian County case dates back 35 years, when human remains were found in a remote field.

The remains were discovered in 1990, said Maj. Adam Flowers of the Canadian County Sheriffs Office. It wasnt until just a few weeks ago that we were able to confirm a positive identification.

At the time, investigators had limited tools to determine the identity of the remains.

DNA testing was very basic back then, Flowers explained. No matches were possible at that time.

However, evidence was carefully preserved for future technological advances. Even decades ago, there were procedures to properly store evidence for potential future use, Flowers said.

Today, that future has arrived with a technique called ancestral DNA.

Flowers noted that this method leverages the widespread use of ancestry DNA services. Millions of people submit DNA to ancestry databases, he said. Investigators can use this information to identify relatives and build family trees to connect unidentified victims or suspects.

The technique has already assisted in Stillwater, where experts at Oklahoma State University (OSU) hope to identify remains of an unknown infant from decades ago.

Our goal at OSU is to serve the state and honor individuals who might otherwise be forgotten, said Dr. Jason Beaman, chair of forensic sciences at OSU.

Last year, Oklahoma City police used ancestral DNA to solve the 1976 murder of 68-year-old Lela Johnston, finally giving her family closure. After all these years, to finally get answers was unbelievable, Johnstons granddaughter shared.

The process has also helped identify century-old remains from Oklahomas tragic historical events. DNA profiles from six exhumed individuals connected to the Race Massacre have been traced to living relatives, said former Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum in 2023.

Encouraged by these successes, Canadian County authorities sent DNA from cold cases to an ancestral DNA lab. Recently, the 1990 remains were identified as 29-year-old JoAnn Marie Rozell.

This case stood out, Flowers said. In 1989, Miss Rozell disappeared from Meridian Lanes Bowling Alley, and she hadnt been seen since leaving in her vehicle.

Almost 40 years later, investigators are working to reconstruct the events surrounding Rozells disappearance. We are gathering information about her friends, family, and associates to piece together what happened, Flowers explained.

Authorities urge anyone with knowledge about Rozells disappearance in 1989 to contact the Canadian County Sheriffs Office.

Advancements in Forensic DNA Technology Bring Closure to Cold Cases

In recent years, advancements in forensic DNA analysis have revolutionized the way law enforcement investigates cold cases. The introduction of ancestral DNA testing has proven to be a groundbreaking method for identifying victims and solving cases that have long remained unsolved. A notable example is the recent identification of human remains found in Canadian County, Oklahoma, in 1990. After nearly 40 years, authorities have used modern DNA techniques to identify the remains as belonging to JoAnn Marie Rozell, who disappeared in 1989. This case highlights the critical role that preserving evidence for future technological advancements plays in solving long-forgotten crimes.

At the time of Rozell's disappearance, forensic science had limited tools at its disposal. DNA testing was in its infancy, and investigators were unable to make any matches. However, thanks to forward-thinking preservation practices and the rapid development of DNA technology, evidence from decades-old cases is now being reevaluated. The use of ancestral DNA databases, which have grown significantly in recent years with millions of submissions, has allowed investigators to trace family trees and connect previously unidentified remains with living relatives.

Canadian County authorities have already seen success with this technique in identifying Rozell's remains, but their efforts don't stop there. They are actively working to reconstruct the events surrounding her disappearance by gathering information from friends, family, and associates. As more cold cases are examined using these advanced methods, the potential for justice and closure grows. This shift in forensic technology is not only solving cases but also bringing much-needed answers to families who have lived with the uncertainty of loss for decades.

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• A new DNA process is helping Oklahoma investigators identify decades-old remains in cold cases