In 2001, skeletal remains were discovered in a shallow grave in Las Vegas, and after years of investigation, advanced DNA testing has finally revealed the identity of the woman—Virgia Mae Jackson.
She was a mother of four whose life was tragically cut short in the late 1990s.
With the help of forensic genetic genealogy, cold case detectives are now closer than ever to finding out what happened to Jackson and, most importantly, who is responsible for her death.
In January 2001, the remains of an unidentified woman were found in the area of Pabco and Sunset Roads, located in the southeast valley of Las Vegas.
Initially, the remains were so badly decomposed that investigators couldn't identify the woman.
The discovery included a skull and several other bones, as well as evidence that she had been buried there.
Police began investigating the case but had little to go on until more recent advances in forensic technology would finally crack the case open.
Virgia Mae Jackson Identified with Advanced DNA Technology
It wasn’t until 2021 that the case made a significant breakthrough.
Las Vegas Metro Police submitted a bone sample to Othram, a Houston-based forensic laboratory specializing in DNA and genealogy to identify victims of violent crimes.
By using their cutting-edge forensic genetic genealogy services, Othram identified the remains as those of Virgia Mae Jackson, a woman who had been missing for years.
Othram’s DNA analysis not only identified Jackson but also led to new clues in the case.
Through the use of forensic-grade genome sequencing, a comprehensive DNA profile was developed, allowing investigators to trace her family tree and locate potential relatives.
Jackson, originally from San Antonio, Texas, moved to Las Vegas in the mid-1990s. She was in her late 40s when she was tragically murdered.
Jackson's children, now adults, had never reported her missing, as they had assumed she had disappeared without a trace.
"They recalled that their mother would come and see them on a regular basis, until one day she never showed up," LVMPD Cold Case Investigator Terri Miller explained in an interview with 8 News Now.
The Mystery of Ava or Eva: A New Lead in the Case
Although Jackson’s remains have been identified, the fight for justice is far from over.
Police are working tirelessly to uncover the circumstances of her death, and while they don't know if the perpetrator feels any remorse, the murder of a mother of four is undeniably heinous.
As LVMPD cold case investigator Terri Miller said, “I don’t know if it was someone who was just malice that they harm a mother of four children and bury her out in the desert. I mean that’s heinous.”
As the investigation moves forward, detectives are seeking help from the public.
Investigators believe that someone named "Ava" or "Eva" might have been a close friend of Jackson’s before her death.
This individual could hold critical information regarding Jackson’s final days.
If you have any information about Jackson or her possible connection to someone with the name Ava or Eva, you are urged to contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at 702-828-3521.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 702-385-5555 or visiting their website
With the help of forensic science and the public's continued support, we may finally see the resolution to a case that has haunted Las Vegas for over two decades.
Comments
Post a Comment