PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. — Human remains found buried in a shallow, clandestine grave near Florence Junction in 1988 have been identified as belonging to a Scottsdale woman.
The DNA Doe Project announced Thursday they had positively identified the remains as belonging to Evelyn “Dottie” Lees, who was living in Scottsdale before she disappeared. Lees was born in Utah in 1898.
Bone samples from the remains were used to create a DNA profile that could be linked to other DNA profiles and generate family tree for the unidentified person.
The DNA Doe Project was able to identify the remains after making a connection with a married couple who had lived during the 19th century.
It's not yet clear how or when Lees died.
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