In February 2002, the remains of an unidentified woman were found in an overgrown vacant lot in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The New Orleans Police Department responded to the discovery and confirmed the remains belonged to a white female.
She had green eyes and shoulder-length dyed blonde hair with visible gray roots.
After being taken to the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office, it was determined that the woman was between 32 and 45 years old.
Also, she was about 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighed roughly 110 pounds.
No additional identifying features could be determined at the time.
To help generate leads, the LSU Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services created a forensic sketch of the woman.
This sketch offered a possible depiction of how she looked while alive.
Her case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System under the identifier, UP848.
Despite investigators' efforts, her identity remained a mystery for over 20 years.
In November 2023, forensic evidence from the case was sent to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas.
The goal was to determine if advanced DNA testing could provide answers.
Othram's scientists successfully extracted DNA from the remains.
Then they utilized forensic-grade genome sequencing to create a detailed DNA profile.
This profile was then shared with the FBI's forensic genetic genealogy team who conducted genealogical research to uncover new leads.
With this breakthrough, investigators were able to identify potential relatives of the victims.
This led to the identification of the woman as 49-year-old Lelia Ann May Malley from Long Beach, Mississippi.
Malley had last been seen by her family in 2000.
This case was made possible through funding from NamUS.
It is a national resource that aids the criminal justice system in resolving cases of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons across the U.S. and its territories.
If anyone has information about Malley or had contact with her in 2002, they're encouraged to call NOPD Homicide at 504-658-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 504-822-1111, or toll free at 877-903-7867 STOP.
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