BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is revisiting the 15-year-old cold case of Juanita Francisco, who was found dead in her bakery on Nov. 23, 2010.
Despite DNA evidence collected at the scene, no match was found in their local crime lab.
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Lori Meza, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, described the crime as a “brutal crime of opportunity.”
Detective Ashley Sanchez, the lead detective in this case, made the choice to partner with Othram, a private lab specializing in advanced DNA technology, to identify potential suspects.
KCSO shared a video explaining Othram, along with the interviews they had with Francisco’s children.
“Selfishly, I want to solve it,” Sanchez said. “I want to find this person and I want to put them behind bars.”
The DNA will undergo genetic genealogy testing, which could provide new leads.
Othram is funded by donations and grants, and the sheriff’s office may apply for a grant if the DNA meets the criteria.
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Francisco’s children hope for justice, though they acknowledge closure may be elusive. Meza emphasized the importance of public participation, saying, “We’re just trying to do what we can to bring justice to the victim’s family.”