DNA breakthrough identifies 1978 Kern County teen murder victim after 48 years

In a press briefing, the Kern County Sheriff’s Department disclosed that the unidentified teen recovered from a vineyard in Arvin in 1978 has been positively identified as Michelle Louise Collier, a 15-year-old from Fresno who disappeared in February 1978. The original investigation relied on fingerprints and dental records, which yielded no identification at the time. In 2007, officials exhumed the remains to obtain DNA, but a match was not found until a relative submitted a sample to a commercial genealogy database.

Cynthia Dunbar, a family member, spoke about finally bringing “Shelley” home and demanded accountability for the killer. Law enforcement said the investigation will continue and urged anyone with tips to come forward. The cold case, now 48 years old, remains active.