In 1995, the body of a young girl was discovered in a shallow grave behind an abandoned home on Atwood Street.
For nearly 30 years, no one knew who she was, and investigators only refered to her as “Wanda.”
But now, with the help of new DNA technology, she finally has her real name back — Kiyona Arnold, a 15-year-old girl from Adamsville, Atlanta.
In April 1995, six children were playing near the 300 block of Atwood Street when they made a heartbreaking discovery — the body of a young woman buried in a shallow grave.
According to DNASolves, investigators believed she had died only a few days before she was found.
The abandoned house where her body was found had been used to secretly manufacture cocaine and other drugs.
Because of this, authorities initially suspected she may have died from an overdose.
But despite their efforts, her exact cause of death was never confirmed.
At the time, she was described as 5’7” tall, weighing 140 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair in tight cornrows.
She also had a mole on her right foot, and a noticeable gap between her front teet.
She was found wearing Bugle Boy jeans, a light blue button-up shirt, and black Adidas sneakers — details that were the only clues to her identity for decades.
Despite entering her case into NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System) in 2007, leads dried up, and the case went cold.
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| Kiyona Arnold |
Then, in 2022, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office partnered with Othram, a forensic lab specializing in advanced DNA testing, to crack the case.
Through Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®, they built a comprehensive DNA profile for the young woman.
The cost of testing was covered by a DNASolves crowdfund, showcasing how public contributions can help solve long-standing mysteries.
Othram’s team then used genealogical research to trace potential relatives, which eventually led them to a possible family member.
Using KinSNP® Rapid Relationship Testing, analysts confirmed the match— "Wanda" was Kiyona Arnold, born March 1, 1980.
According to Lipstick Alley, she was the youngest of three daughters, and at the time of her death, she was just 15 years old
Criminal investigators believe she frequented areas like Ashby, Dill, and Beecher Streets before her tragic end.
While her identity is now known, the investigation into her death remains open.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office at (404) 613-4400 (case number 95-0716).
Kiyona’s identification marks another victory for forensic genetic genealogy, a tool that has solved numerous cold cases in recent years.
For her family, it’s a bittersweet resolution—finally knowing her fate after 28 years of uncertainty.
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