Remains of missing woman found in remote Southern California ravine identified more than 45 years later

Four decades after the case went cold, investigators have now identified a woman whose body was found in a remote Southern California ravine.

On Feb. 18, 1980, drivers spotted the woman’s body about 35 feet down a ravine off Highway 74, just south of Cahuilla in an unincorporated area near Palm Desert.

At the time, investigators described her as a white woman between 20-25 years old. She had hazel eyes, brown hair, stood 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed about 115 pounds.

“Despite extensive efforts, including fingerprint and dental record comparisons, investigators were unable to identify the victim,” the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office said.

Victoria Jean Hargrove, 29, had gone missing on Jan. 28, 1980, from her home in Opelika, Alabama. Her body was found in a ravine in a remote area near Palm Desert, Riverside County on Feb. 18, 1980. (Riverside County District Attorney’s Office)

Detectives asked the public for help, but no viable tips were received and the case eventually went cold. The woman’s cause of death could not be determined, but the case was investigated as a homicide.

In 2024, the Riverside County Coroner’s Office, with help from the Regional Cold Case Homicide Team, re-examined the case using new information and advances in forensic science, including forensic investigative genealogy.

On Dec. 4, 2024, the woman’s remains were exhumed so that bone and tissue samples could be collected. The samples were sent to OTHRAM Labs, a private forensic laboratory, for DNA analysis.

In January 2026, a DNA profile was developed and uploaded to an ancestry database. A genealogist later identified a potential match to a close relative in Alabama. The family members were contacted and they agreed to provide DNA samples for comparison.

The family confirmed that a relative, Victoria Jean Hargrove, 29, had gone missing on Jan. 28, 1980, from her home in Opelika, Alabama. Her case was reported to local law enforcement at that time, but she was never seen again.

On March 20, 2026, the California Department of Justice Crime Laboratory successfully confirmed Hargrove as the woman’s identity. She had been reported missing just three weeks before she was found dead in California.

Though her identity has been confirmed, the circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear. Investigators are seeking more information about her story, including what inspired her to travel to California that year.

“Identifying Victoria Hargrove is just the next step in determining what happened to her and helping to get answers for her family,” said Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram.

Any leads, no matter how insignificant they may seem, can be reported,” investigators said.

“Investigators encourage individuals to consider submitting their DNA to reputable ancestry databases, as it can play a vital role in identifying unknown victims and advancing cold case investigations,” the DA’s office said. “Voluntary DNA submissions help establish familial connections and bring long-awaited answers to families.”

Anyone with information about Hargrove or her death is urged to call Supervising Investigator Billy Hester at 951-955-0070 or email coldcaseunit@rivcoda.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.

Remains of missing woman found in remote Southern California ravine identified more than 45 years later

Tags: