In February 1988, the skeletal remains of an unidentified woman were discovered near Parker Bridge Road and Sunnyside Dam in Yakima County, Washington, by a horseback rider. Upon the arrival of the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined that the remains belonged to an adult female, aged between 30 and 45, and had likely been at the location for approximately four to ten months. Key physical characteristics included a height of 4 feet 11 inches to 5 feet 1 inch, as well as black or dark brown hair with some bleached light brown sections at the front. At the time of her death, she was clad in lavender pants, a long-sleeved shirt with a Mexican label, and mismatched bowling-type shoes—one featuring a white sole and the other a black sole. Given the circumstances surrounding her death, the woman became known as Parker Doe.
The initial investigation embarked upon by local law enforcement included the public release of composite sketches to solicit information from the community. However, efforts to identify the deceased woman were unsuccessful, leading to her entry into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP16335.
With advancements in forensic technology, in 2023, the collaborative efforts of the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office and the King County Medical Examiner’s Office led to the submission of evidence from the case to Othram, a forensic DNA lab based in The Woodlands, Texas. Utilizing advanced forensic-grade genome sequencing, Othram successfully developed a comprehensive DNA profile from the remains. Following this, their forensic genetic genealogy team began to analyze the DNA, which facilitated new investigative leads regarding the identity of Parker Doe.
Subsequent detective work led to the possible relatives of the unidentified woman, including the collection of reference DNA samples. This process culminated in the positive identification of the deceased as 31-year-old Rosa Elia Vargas Jimenez Everts, who had been reported missing from Toppenish, Washington, in August 1987. Everts was last seen by her former roommate, who had initially believed she had returned to California. However, it was later discovered that Everts had not maintained contact with her family, prompting the investigation into her disappearance.
The ongoing homicide investigation into Rosa Everts’ death underscores the complexities often associated with cold cases. Yakima County authorities have encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact their cold case unit, reflecting a broader commitment to resolving such long-standing mysteries.
Significantly, the funding facilitating forensic genetic genealogy in this case was made possible by the collaborative efforts of Washington’s executive and legislative branches, highlighting the importance of public support in advancing cold case investigations. Attorney General Nick Brown emphasized the pride taken in the work of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Cold Case Investigations Unit, expressing condolences to Everts’ family while recognizing the efforts that led to the recent DNA results.
The successful identification of Rosa Everts marks a notable achievement as the 42nd case in Washington state to utilize Othram’s innovative technology for public identification. The case serves as a poignant reminder of the critical impact of forensic advancements in addressing unresolved cases and bringing closure to affected families.
