Match! CA - Placer Co., Wht/HispFem UP6325, 16-26, green cross tattoo, Feb'90 - Wendy Abrams-Nishikai

[Tower]

I wasn't aware that the reconstruction was done by NCMEC and considered 4 sketches as provided by Frank Bender, who was an amazing forensic artist.

"insulin-type syringes were also located near the remains" I wonder what this means exactly, just standard type syringes or something specific to insulin - perhaps insulin was still contained and that's how the authorities know they were "insulin-type"? If it's known to definitively be insulin (and being used by her to treat diabetes) and this young lady's age range on NCMEC (16-22) is accurate, then it was likely juvenile diabetes or perhaps gestational diabetes if she was also a mother (nothing noted in provided info). Additionally, if known to be insulin b/c some remained in syringes, then she possibly could have lost her life due to a diabetic coma from not getting insulin into her body on time.

I wish we had some clothing labels. Her shoes were small, size 4. US women's shoes start at size 5. I think perhaps she was wearing a youth/child size 4, one step below "adult" sizes. Other clothing Large (size 12) white tank top; I don't believe other clothing sizes were notes.

Regarding Ms. Abrams-Nishikai as a possible match. She is listed as being a mother to a 2-year old. I wonder if the Jane Doe skeletally showed evidence of being a mother? I also came across these two photos of Wendy, source is identified as Ancestry, not sure this is permissible or not but including.

View attachment 409123View attachment 409124

This is all based on my experience working as a healthcare worker, but I’m not a nurse. “Insulin-type syringe” would typically mean a shorter needle (for a superficial injection, not for a deep, intramuscular injection) and a small volume syringe, not that it contained insulin. My opinion is they would have said she was likely an insulin-dependent diabetic if they found traces of insulin. But they also don’t state that any other substance was found in the syringes, so maybe the elements destroyed evidence of what the syringes once contained? Others can correct me if this seems wrong. Jmo

 

[heartanium]

Not 100% sure but I think this may be her grave, Placer County didn't usually cremate unknown remains but instead buried them.

Jane Doe (unknown-1990) - Find a Grave Memorial

Died on 19 Jul 1990. Buried in Auburn, California, USA.

www.findagrave.com

 

[Mina280909]

Bump. She has been unidentified for years.

 

[Nate_Bro]

Was there ever any rule out or update on Nishikai?

 

[bombardier]

Was there ever any rule out or update on Nishikai?

None that I can see, and she is not an official NamUs ruleout.

 

[heartanium]

Case was modified Feb 6, 2024 but I can't see anything public that changed

 

[DS2021]

 

[getthefax]

I am just now reading through this thread again, and realized that Wendy's husband filed for dissolution of their marriage three years to the day (!!!) that the doe was found The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).

I know other folks have tried, but I am going to try submitting the potential match to the regional contact at NamUs and will post if I receive a reply.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The jewelry found on the decedent consisted of a 17” pearl necklace with 14K gold clasp, and 3 stud earrings in her left ear: gold stud in cartilage, green stud in the middle earlobe, silver stud in the lower earlobe. Two size 5 Mother of Pearl rings and insulin-type syringes were also located near the remains.

Have you seen this child? Jane Colfax Doe 1990

Missing From: Colfax, CA. Missing Date: February 10, 1990. On February 10, 1990, the remains of an unidentified female were discovered in the wooded terrain of the Sierra foothills off Yankee Jims Road in Colfax, Placer County, California. Based on the condition of the remains, it is believed...

www.missingkids.org

 

[HmmMysterious]

She IS Wendy Abrams-Nishikai like some have speculated. Rest in peace Wendy.

https://www.facebook.com/PlacerSheriff/posts/1074096894752193

 

[Maat99]

Shout out to Websleuths in this article

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/human-remains-identified-california-cold-case-20158952.php

 

[almagata]

Everyone did excellent research on this case and did everything possible to get the attention of law enforcement in both Placer County and Berkeley back in 2016 to do the comparison. Wendy has her name back. Well done.

 

[heartanium]

My heart jumped when I saw the notification she was finally identified. I'm so glad she got her name back. I just wish it hadn't taken so long, it's been speculated that this was Wendy for a better half of a decade now. I'm glad that Placer County now has a cold case divison now, I hope to see more people in the foothills region be identified.

Berkeley 21-year-old who went missing on Halloween in 1989 identified from remains in Placer County - KCRA 3
"We actually had fingernails and that's what they were able to use to pull DNA from," Elise Soviar with the sheriff's office said on Monday."

Both Wendy's and Doe's Doenetwork pages stated that they had dentals available, but from one of the articles I posted on page 2 it looks like Wendy had no dental work done. I'm guessing thats why investigators had to rely on DNA for identification.

Either way, rest in peace Wendy.

 

[Teamir]

This forum got a big shout out on the Daily Mail. Great work guys! @Tricia

Online sleuths show up police by solving death of woman

Wendy Abrams-Nishikai was a 21-year-old UC Berkeley student with a young daughter when she disappeared on October 31, 1989.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[MadMcGoo]

I’ve changed this thread tag from “Identified!” to “Match!”. It’s awesome that our members are being recognized for their efforts! Genetic genealogy confirmed the match, but you all called it years ago.

Congrats and thanks to all! It truly takes a village.

 

[LucyOso]

RIP Wendy. Happy you have your name back.

 

[Tricia]

This forum got a big shout out on the Daily Mail. Great work guys! @Tricia

Online sleuths show up police by solving death of woman

Wendy Abrams-Nishikai was a 21-year-old UC Berkeley student with a young daughter when she disappeared on October 31, 1989.

www.dailymail.co.uk

You all did the work. I did nothing.
The posters on Websleuths are amazing.
This is incredible everyone.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
Tricia