VICTIM IN COLORADO CO. COLD CASE IDENTIFIED

  

The victim of a Colorado County homicide dating back nearly half a century has been identified.

The Colorado County Sheriff’s Office says DNA obtained from remains located on July 17, 1976 is a match for DNA recently submitted by a representing sibling of a missing person named Isolde Deirdre Yockey.  The DNA match comes 47 years to the month after the remains were found near Sandy Creek on Shell Plant Road in Sheridan. 

The investigation into the homicide ran cold after a lack of leads at the time, and the initial report was believed to be destroyed after a flood in the jail basement.  The remains were left at the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office until 2003, when Colorado County received a letter that the remains were still in their possession and requesting burial. 

That year, the sheriff’s office opened a new case file and requested assistance from the Texas Rangers.  The still-unidentified remains were transferred to the University of North Texas (UNT) Forensic Anthropology Department. 

Attempts to identify the female by dental records were unsuccessful, but as investigation continued, DNA was taken and submitted in 2007 to a combined DNA index system, which operates local, state and national databases.  However, the DNA did not match anyone in the system, and the case ran cold again.  The remains stayed at the University of North Texas.

In May of this year, the sheriff’s office sought to revisit the case using the higher levels of technology now available.  Investigators began contacting organizations to create a genetic genealogy profile of the victim, which is done by combining extracted DNA material with traditional genealogy methods to create a family tree that will assist in the individual’s identification.  While creating the profile and continuing the investigation, the sheriff’s office was notified by the UNT Health and Safety Center that the DNA previously obtained matched what was recently submitted by the sister of the victim, leading to her identification. 

Investigators met with the sibling in Harris County.  She told them that she and her mother have been looking for Isolde since Christmas of 1975.  At the time, Isolde was reported missing in Harris County, but given the circumstances, it was believed she moved from her residence and left willingly.  The sibling said she had attended a missing persons event in Harris County in April that prompted her to provide a sample for comparison.

With the victim having been positively identified and the family, one remaining sister, being notified, the sheriff’s office is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the homicide.  Leads are being developed, but the sheriff’s office is requesting assistance from anyone who might have information.  The public can contact Investigator Justin Lindemann at 979-732-2388 or justin.lindemann@co.colorado.tx.us.  They can also call Colorado County Crime Stoppers at 866-522-8477.