PA Girl Found Dead In California Vineyards 45 Years Ago Finally ID'd

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — A teen girl found dead in a Southern California vineyard nearly 45 years ago was finally identified this month thanks to advances in DNA technology.

Now investigators want to know who killed the Pennsylvania youth.

San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies were first contacted about the girl around 12:20 p.m. June 7, 1979, after a worker tending to vineyards near 8th Street and Rochester Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga made the grim discovery.

The incident was ruled a homicide due to traumatic injuries found on the body.

Figuring out who the victim was proved challenging. Investigators determined she was a white female, between the ages of 18 and 30, with brown eyes and shoulder-length light brown hair. She had no identifying marks, scars or tattoos.

"Investigators exhausted all leads attempting to identify the victim and the case went cold," according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Finally, in 2023, the sheriff's Cold Case Homicide Team, with the assistance of the San Bernardino County Coroner Division, reopened the investigation.

The vineyards where the body was found are gone — they are now paved over with industrial buildings and Interstate 15. Investigators turned to technology. They collected DNA samples from the victim and sent them to Texas-based Othram Inc. for forensic analysis.

The efforts were fruitful.

"Othram Inc. scientists developed a suitable DNA extract and used forensic-grade genome sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile," which allowed for a genealogical search, according to the sheriff's department.

Sheriff's investigators followed up on leads and finally identified the victim as 17-year-old Karen Marie Heverly.

Originally from Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, the teen was born on Jan. 27, 1962. Sadly, she left home under unknown circumstances at age 16, according to the sheriff's department.

Armed with her identity, investigators can now focus on who might have killed her.

"The investigation remains active," according to the sheriff's department.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Justin Carty or Sgt. Justin Giles at the Specialized Investigations Division: 909-890-4904.