DNA Breakthrough Solves 36-Year-Old Mystery of Missing California Sisters

Two California sisters have been found alive and well. Jasmin and Elizabeth Ramos were located 36 years after they vanished as infants. They were discovered living under new names in their home state.

The breakthrough came from advanced DNA testing. This finally closed a decades-old missing persons case that began with the murder of their mother.

From Desert Tragedy to a New Life

The case dates back to 1989. The sisters’ mother, Marina Ramos, was found murdered in an Arizona desert. She was unidentified for over 30 years.

Authorities confirmed her identity in 2022 using fingerprint technology. This discovery triggered the search for her two missing daughters. According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, the girls were just one month and 14 months old at the time.

A Loving Home and a Cold Case

Investigators revealed the sisters were abandoned in a public bathroom in Oxnard, California. This happened just two days after their mother’s body was discovered. A passerby heard crying and found the babies on a wet floor.

Police were called. The girls were placed into foster care and later adopted. They were raised together in what officials described as a loving home.

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office stated the foster parents were unaware of the children’s status as missing persons. The sisters were located on August 27, 2025, after a DNA match.

The discovery of Jasmin and Elizabeth Ramos brings a bittersweet conclusion to a heartbreaking chapter, yet the search for their mother’s killer continues as a top priority for investigators.

Thought you’d like to know

How were the sisters found after 36 years?

Authorities used forensic genetic genealogy. A DNA match led investigators to the women, who were living under different names in California.

What happened to the sisters after they were found?

They were confirmed to be safe and living normal lives. They had been adopted and raised together in a stable, loving home environment.

Who is responsible for their mother’s murder?

The case remains open. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office has named three persons of interest seen with the girls before their abandonment.

What are the next steps in the investigation?

Law enforcement is now focused solely on solving Marina Ramos’ homicide. They are pursuing leads on the three Hispanic individuals described at the scene.

Why did it take so long to identify the mother?

Marina Ramos was an unidentified Jane Doe for decades. Advanced fingerprinting technology in 2022 was needed to finally confirm her identity.

Trusted Sources

Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, Associated Press