(SAN DIEGO, CA) – Authorities say a major break has come in a Southern California murder investigation of a woman born in Michigan.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department say they have identified the body of a woman as Claudette Jean Zebolsky Powers by making use of technology that uses DNA and genealogy websites to find family ties.
Powers’ body was found February 16, 1986 near campsites on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in Warner Springs, California. Her family last heard from her in September 1984, which is when her father died.
Since Powers’ body was found detectives have been actively working the case by reviewing missing person reports and asking for the public’s help. But up until recently, they haven’t had any success.
Sheriff’s Department officials say their Cold Case Team turned to Investigative Genetic Genealogy to help them find leads in the case. A DNA profile obtained from a sample of Powers’ hair was compared to available profiles and once a family relationship was discovered, detectives tracked down Powers’ daughters, sister and her mother.
Powers was born in Coldwater on January 13, 1962. She lived with her husband in Washington State until the early 1980’s and then left him and moved to San Diego County.
Police believe that Powers’ killer is still at large. In a video made by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, her sister Laura Freese says they are asking for the public’s help with the investigation. LINKC.
In addition, a second body was found near where police found Powers. The second body was that of a man, and has not been identified. It’s not known if the two cases are connected.
Anyone with information is asked to call the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or the Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
(07-25-2024) 2024 Burr Oak Heritage Festival Underway
(07-25-2024) Sturgis City Commission Hears Final Budget Review
(07-24-2024) FEMA Denies Whitmer’s Request For Help Following Tornadoes
(07-24-2024) SBA Says Resources Are Available For People Impacted By Tornadoes
(07-23-2024) Indiana Ends FY 2024 With $2.6 Billion In Reserves
(07-23-2024) Budget To Be Discussed Wednesday By City Commission
(07-23-2024) Kayaker Drowns In Cass County Lake
(07-22-2024) Three People Injured In Two Vehicle Crash In DeKalb County
(07-22-2024) Sturgis Woman Among Four Injured In Two Vehicle Crash
(07-22-2024) June Unemployment Up Around NE Indiana
(07-22-2024) Bronson Police Starting New Community Program
(07-22-2024) Fort Wayne Man Arrested Following Two County Pursuit
(07-22-2024) One Person Dies In Elkhart Shooting Incident
(07-22-2024) Granger Man Dies In Cass County Motorcycle Crash
(07-22-2024) New Assistant Superintendent Hired For Sturgis Public Schools
(07-20-2024) Cuyler Has Case Bound Over To Circuit Court
(07-20-2024) Unemployment Goes Up In Indiana From May To June
(07-20-2024) Two People Killed In Roll Over Accident On I-69
(07-20-2024) West Nile Virus Found In Steuben County
(07-20-2024) Centreville Covered Bridge Days 2024 Continues