Credit: Moxxy
Moxxy Forensic Investigations, in partnership with the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, is honored to announce the successful identification of Harris County Jane Doe (1992) as Joann Zamora, born Aug. 27, 1963.
Joann’s remains were discovered on September 8, 1992, by a passerby in a wooded area of Harris County, Texas. At the time, she was described as a white/Caucasian female between the ages of 20–30, approximately 5'1" tall, with brown hair about 8 inches in length. She suffered from scoliosis in her lower spine and had artificial upper front teeth secured with a temporary dental bridge. Despite efforts by law enforcement and forensic professionals at the time, her identity remained a mystery for over 30 years.
In 2024, Moxxy Forensic Investigations initiated an Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) effort on the case, made possible through a fully funded public crowdfunding campaign. The genealogy work officially began on December 5, 2024, with generous financial sponsorship from Criminal Coffee Co. Moxxy extends heartfelt thanks to Criminal Coffee Co. for their vital support in helping bring Joann back to her family.
“This accomplishment underscores the power of genetic genealogy in modern investigations, opening new doors for solving even the most challenging cases,” said Derrick Levasseur, founder of Criminal Coffee Co. “This investigation is a powerful example of what can happen when passionate people and purpose-driven companies come together.”
A critical part of this success was the work of Intermountain Forensics, whose team successfully extracted DNA from the remains and generated a viable DNA profile that enabled genealogical research to proceed. Moxxy extends sincere gratitude to Intermountain Forensics for their expertise and contribution to this identification.
A team of eight volunteer genealogists from Moxxy worked on this case. Through their expertise and commitment, Joann Zamora was positively identified in 2025.
Joann Zamora, last seen in Houston, Texas, was more than a name—she was a loving mother, a vibrant and outgoing woman who lived life with joy and determination. Her family describes her as someone who wanted to live life to the fullest, and who left an indelible mark on those who knew her.
"Words cannot fully express what it means to finally have answers after more than 32 years,” said Spencer Zamora Graham, daughter of Joann. “While the outcome is not what we had hoped for, we are deeply grateful to those who cared enough to seek the truth about a stranger who had no name and stood alone for so long."
Tragically, Joann was the victim of a homicide, and her death remains under investigation by the Houston Police Department. Moxxy and its partners remain committed to supporting the ongoing efforts to bring justice in her case. Criminal Coffee Co. has offered a $5,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest for the person or persons responsible for Joann’s death.
“Our entire team poured their hearts into this case,” said Katie Thomas, co-founder of Moxxy Forensic Investigations. “Joann was never just a case number to us—she was someone’s mother, someone’s daughter, someone who mattered. Every person deserves to have their name returned, and we are honored to have helped bring Joann home.”
Moxxy Forensic Investigations extends its deepest condolences to Joann’s family and is grateful to have played a role in restoring her identity after so many years.
If you have information regarding the death of Joann Zamora, contact the Houston Police Department Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-8477.
Republished courtesy of Moxxy Forensics