Remains Found 30 Years Ago In DeKalb County ID'd As Cobb Woman

TUCKER, GA — The remains of a Cobb County woman that were found almost 30 years ago in DeKalb County have been identified as belonging to Rebecca "Becky" Burke, 52, according to the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office.

The district attorney's office is seeking information from anyone who may have known Burke or interacted with her in the days and months leading to her death, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said in a news release Wednesday.

Burke was last known to live in Smyrna or Marietta, and may have gone by the last names McChesney or Barnes.

Her remains were found on Sept. 16, 1993, in a wooded area behind an electrical unit near the then-Fairfield Inn on Ranchwood Drive and a medical office that was vacant then near the Parklake Drive intersection, Boston said. It's unknown how she died.

The electrical unit was covered in pine straw and branches, which Boston said was seemingly placed there to conceal the body.

Boston said the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition and the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office surmised Burke had been dead between two weeks and three months prior to being found.

Burke sustained traumatic injuries to her facial area and a neck fracture that indicated pressure was applied to her neck, Boston said. She had extensive dental work and had a left hip replacement that could have caused an abnormal gait, Boston said.

There were no items near Burke to identify her, Boston said.

The remains were able to be identified through the DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force, Boston said.

Burke was identified through forensic genetic genealogy DNA testing funded by a partnership between the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and Othram, Boston said. Through the DNA testing, authorities were able to link her to a family member.

FGG was first used to identify the Golden State Killer in 2018 and can help recognize unknown suspects and the remains of homicide victims, Boston said.

“We’re grateful to finally have identified Becky Burke’s remains, but the work doesn’t end here,” Boston said in the release.

Boston asked anyone with information about Burke's final days or any former employees at the Fairfield Inn during that time to call the tip line at (404) 371-2444. Callers may remain anonymous.