UPDATE: Arvin Jane Doe 1978 identified as Michelle Louise Collier

Yesterday, July 28, 2026, it was announced that Arvin Jane Doe 1978 has been identified as Michelle Louise Collier, a 15-year-old girl from Fresno who had been missing since February 1978. Her remains were found three months after her disappearance, and she was unidentified for nearly 48 years. This is the fourth formerly-unidentified decedent featured on this blog to be identified since I first posted about them.

Michelle Collier. Photo released by KCSO. Accessed from Bakersfield Now.

With Kern County law enforcement (LE) unable to make an identification, the girl found in the grape vineyard on June 21, 1978 was buried in Arvin Cemetery in November 1978 as a Jane Doe. The investigation was reopened and Arvin Jane Doe's remains were exhumed in August 2007, and samples of her DNA were obtained at that time. Those bone samples were sent to the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) in April 2008; the CA DOJ then submitted them to Othram by March 2025.

Using Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), Othram was able to identify a potential mother of Jane Doe in August 2025. Following this, further investigation by the Kern County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) confirmed the match, with Jane Doe being positively identified as Michelle Louise Collier in October 2025. Family members were promptly notified, and they have since retrieved Michelle's remains for final disposition. The identification was announced by KCSO in a press conference on July 28, 2026.

Michelle's 85-year-old mother Maria, as well as the girl's two older siblings, are still alive today, and have expressed shock from finding out that Michelle was the victim of a homicide. Michelle's older sister Cynthia Dunbar stated the following during the press conference on behalf of their entire family:

"[Michelle] disappeared 48 years ago, and [it] was only recently that we knew where she was. At least with this information, my family has some closure. Due to the detective’s dedication, perseverance, and attention to detail, we can bring our sister home and have a proper burial."

Michelle, also known as "Shelley," and her family were from Fresno, Fresno County, CA. Michelle disappeared in February 1978, when she was 15 years old. Sources do not indicate whether she was ever officially reported missing.

Speaking to the unknown person who murdered her younger sister, Cynthia Dunbar also said the following during the press conference:

"Your coward[ly] act affected our family, but make no mistake: law enforcement will find you and hold you accountable. Whether you are already incarcerated or dead, you will be found."

KCSO information sheet (KCSO Public Information Officer).

In addition to the identification, new details about the circumstances of the discovery of Michelle's remains that were previously not known to the public have been released in the various news articles about the development. Specifically, it has been stated that the person who discovered the body was a tractor operator, and the grape vineyard where the remains were found in Arvin was specifically at/near South Wheeler Ridge Rd.

Furthermore, according to an article published by KGET.com, clothes and shoes were found on the body at the time of discovery. This contradicts earlier information that I had found prior to Michelle's identification, which can be found in full here.

Information I gathered about the circumstances of Michelle's death as they were understood prior to her identification can be found at the blog link above. I am leaving that post up to preserve its contents.

The investigation into Michelle's murder is still open. Anyone who knew Michelle or believes they may have information about her whereabouts or death is urged to contact KCSO detectives at (661) 861-3110, or the Kern Secret Witness line at (661) 322-4040. The agency case number is L-782658. Any little piece of information, no matter how minor, is appreciated, and may be the key to solving Michelle's murder.