Parabon Nanolabs was contracted to do forensic genetic genealogy testing on "Bones 17." Due to advancements in DNA technology, they were able to develop a new DNA profile to begin the forensic genetic genealogy process. After extensive research, they concluded that the victim was Lori Anne Razpotnik.
On Dec. 30, 1985, employees from the City of Auburn were called to investigate a car over an embankment. They discovered potential human remains and the Green River Task Force was called in and oversaw the investigation. During a subsequent search of the area by detectives and search and rescue personnel, a second set of human remains were found. These two victims were not immediately identified and have been referred to as Bones 16 and Bones 17.
Gary Ridgway led investigators to this location in 2002 and admitted to placing victims there. He plead guilty to murdering these two victims in 2003. In 2012, Bones 16 was identified through DNA testing as Sandra Majors.
Now, Bones 17 has ben identified as Lori Anne Razpotnik.
In 1982, Lori Anne was 15 years old and lived with her family in Lewis County. She ran away at some point during that year and her family never saw her again. King County detectives contacted Lori Anne’s mother who provided them with a saliva sample. The University of North Texas did DNA comparison testing, which confirmed the remains as that of Lori Anne Razpotnik.
Republished courtesy of King County Sheriff.