Skull found near canal in 2013 ID’d as woman not seen for decades, CA cops say

A skull discovered by work crews near a Northern California canal in 2013 has been identified as belonging to a woman not seen for decades, sheriff’s officials reported.

A cleanup crew working near the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District canal in Redding found the skull on March 11, 2013, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said in an Oct. 3 news release.

“Investigators could not determine when the woman died or how long the remains had been there, but estimated the remains had been hidden by the thick brush for several years,” Othram Inc., a DNA-testing lab, said in a release.

Investigators recovered more bones, clothing and personal effects, but other than determining the remains belonged to a woman who was at least middle-aged, could not identify her, deputies said.

Her DNA was entered into databases for missing people, but no matches were found.

In 2023, the county coroner’s office worked with Othram to try to identify the remains using forensic genetic genealogy, deputies said.

The laboratory determined the woman might have a much younger half-sister, who recalled her name but little other information, deputies said.

Deputies said investigators found additional family members, who “provided information confirming (her) identity and the names of her surviving biological children.”

DNA from the woman’s son identified her as Velma Louise Silva Lee of Napa, deputies said.

Lee, who would have been 77 in 2013, had been out of contact with her family for many years, Othram Inc. said. A private detective hired by her family could find no sign of her after around 2003 or 2004.

She was later declared legally deceased, the laboratory said.

“Every person is entitled to their name and identity,” the sheriff’s office said in the release. “Restoring a name to the unidentified is a matter of dignity, justice, and human rights.”

Redding is about a 160-mile drive northwest from Sacramento.

This story was originally published October 5, 2025 at 1:22 PM with the headline "Skull found near canal in 2013 ID’d as woman not seen for decades, CA cops say."