Identified! Canada SK - Morris, 'Watrous Jane Doe', Kassandra Jorquera, 27, last seen Red Deer, Alta., Jan. 2021., DNA Identified, 2023, *Suspicious death*

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Saskatchewan RCMP say human remains found in the RM of Morris, Sask. in February 2021 have been identified as those of Kassandra Jorquera, who would have been 27 years old at the time of her death. They continue to investigate her death, which is now considered suspicious. They say she often frequented Red Deer, AB and is known to have been there in January 2021. (photo supplied by RCMP on May 18, 2023) jpg

RCMP identify human remains found in Sask. in 2021 as Kassandra Jorquera of Alberta

Jorquera, 27, had not been reported missing. Her remains were found by people who were looking for shed antlers in a field in the RM of Morris.

thestarphoenix.com

A DNA match and other forensic evidence have led RCMP investigators to conclude a human skull found in the Rural Municipality of Morris, Sask. in February 2021 belonged to an Alberta woman who was last seen in Red Deer, Alta. in January 2021.
Kassandra Jorquera, 27, had not been reported missing, RCMP said in a news release on Thursday.''

'Her remains were found on Feb. 28, 2021 by people who were looking for shed antlers in a field'.

“Major Crimes continues to investigate the circumstances of Kassandra’s death, which investigators have determined is suspicious in nature. Investigators want to speak with anyone who has information about Kassandra’s death, or has knowledge of her activities in and around January 2021.

“In March 2022, investigators enlisted the assistance of a forensic genealogy firm. Using DNA, the experts were able to determine the deceased individual had closely-related relatives in the Red Deer, AB area,” Thursday’s news release said.''

“I know it was some time ago, but we’re asking people — particularly in the Red Deer area — to take a look at her picture and think back. Did you know Kassandra? Did you speak with her or encounter her in the weeks after New Year’s 2021? You may have a piece of the puzzle that will help us determine what happened to her in those final weeks of her life.”

Watrous Jane Doe is now Identified

Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Partners with Othram to Identify 2021 Jane Doe

dnasolves.com

''In February 2021, Watrous RCMP received a report of human remains located in the RM of Morris, SK. Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes took carriage of the investigation. Since then, Major Crimes has been working to identify the remains, in conjunction with Watrous RCMP, Saskatchewan RCMP’s Forensic Identification Services, Police Dog Services, the Saskatchewan Coroners Service and a forensic anthropologist.

In March 2022, investigators enlisted the assistance of Othram, from The Woodlands, Texas. Remains were sent to Othram and Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to develop a comprehensive DNA profile for the unidentified woman. Othram's in-house genealogy team used the profile to develop investigative leads that were returned to the law enforcement investigators. Using the leads, the investigators were able to determine the deceased individual had closely-related relatives in the Red Deer, AB area.

Further investigation by Major Crimes determined the remains likely belonged to a woman from Red Deer, who was last seen there in January 2021. She had not been reported missing to police. In January 2023, Saskatchewan RCMP Forensic Identification Services conclusively determined the human remains belong to Kassandra Jorquera, who would have been 27 years old at the time of her death. Her family has been notified.

Major Crimes continues to investigate the circumstances of Kassandra’s death, which investigators have determined is suspicious in nature. Investigators want to speak with anyone who has information about Kassandra’s death, or has knowledge of her activities in and around January 2021. Kassandra often frequented Red Deer and is known to have been there in January 2021. She also visited Grande Prairie periodically. Her connection to Saskatchewan is unknown at this time.

Investigators are releasing her photo and description to help advance this investigation. Kassandra was approximately 5’5” and 110 lbs. She had shoulder-length dark brown hair and brown eyes. Her family describes her as having “beautiful” teeth. “Since February 2021, we’ve worked diligently to identify the person located deceased. We now know it’s Kassandra. Our work continues: we need to retrace all of her steps in January 2021,” says Sgt. Ryan Boogaard from Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes. “I know it was some time ago, but we’re asking people – particularly in the Red Deer area – to take a look at her picture and think back. Did you know Kassandra? Did you speak with her or encounter her in the weeks after New Year’s 2021? You may have a piece of the puzzle that will help us determine what happened to her in those final weeks of her life.”

Anyone with information on Kassandra’s death, or whereabouts in and around January 2021, should contact Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes at 639-625-4535. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.''

 

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May 18 2023

RCMP use forensic genealogy to connect human remains to Alberta woman

REGINA — Mounties in Saskatchewan have used forensic genealogy to identify human remains found in a field as belonging to an Alberta woman who had not been seen for more than two years. RCMP say a human skull was found in Morris, a rural municipality southeast of Saskatoon, by people looking for...

ca.sports.yahoo.com

''Mounties say the death is suspicious and her connection to Saskatchewan is still unknown.

Sgt. Ryan Boogaard, with Saskatchewan RCMP’s major crimes unit, says investigators are looking for people who may have seen or spoken with Jorquera in the weeks leading up to her death.

“Did you know Kassandra? Did you speak with her or encounter her in the weeks after New Year’s 2021?” Boogaard said in a news release.

“You may have a piece of the puzzle that will help us determine what happened to her in those final weeks of her life.”

RCMP said Jorquera frequented Red Deer and was seen in the city the month before her remains were found. She also visited Grande Prairie in northwest Alberta periodically.

Mounties said Jorquera had not been reported missing.

“Since February 2021, we’ve worked diligently to identify the person located deceased. We now know it’s Kassandra,” Boogaard said.

“Our work continues: we need to retrace all of her steps in January 2021.”