Oregon
Remains of Oregon teenager identified after 54 years using advanced genetic genealogy
The remains of a missing teenager found 54 years ago have finally been identified, the Oregon State Police said.
Sandra Young was a student at Portland’ Oregon’s Grant High School when she went missing in 1968 or 1969, the Oregon State Police said in a release this week.
Her skeleton was found by a Boy Scout troop leader in 1970 in a shallow grave on Sauvie Island along the Columbia River along with the tattered remains of her clothing and a black wig.
Investigators said they suspected foul play, but no one has ever been charged in her death.
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Sandra Young, left, and an image of what she would have looked like based on analysis of her remains. (Oregon State Police)
“Sandra Young has now regained her identity after 54 years,” said Dr. Nici Vance, the state’s Human Identification Program Coordinator at the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. “Her story represents a remarkable amount of diligence and collaboration between family members, detectives, Oregon State Medical Examiner staff, and our contract laboratory, Parabon NanoLabs.
“This is yet another example of the innovative ways the ME’s Office and investigative genetic genealogy can help Oregonians find closure. This technology gives investigators the powerful ability to assist all Oregon agencies with the resolution of their cold case mysteries.”
In 2004, Young’s remains were moved to the state’s medical examiner facility in Clackamas County with more than 100 other unidentified remains.
A bone sample was sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification and an anthropology report was done.
Despite her DNA profile being added to the Combined DNA Index System or CODIS, which is a DNA database for missing persons, no matches were found.
Parabon NanoLabs and GEDMatch were key in identifying Sandra Young through DNA phenotyping and genetic genealogy. (iStock)
In 2018, Young’s case was identified as one that could possibly be solved using DNA Phenotyping and Investigative Genetic Genealogy and the Oregon State Police Medical Examiner’s Office was awarded a National Institute of Justice grant.
Using a fragment of her bone, Parabon NanoLabs used her genetic material to find that she was of West African, South African, and Northern European descent, with brown to dark brown skin, brown eyes, and black hair.
Still unidentified in 2021, a prediction of what her face looked like was created.
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“To see her face come to life through DNA phenotyping was striking,” Vance said.
Last year, someone uploaded their DNA onto GEDMatch, a genetic genealogy and family tree search company, and a match was made with Young.
Oregon State Police (Oregon State Police / Facebook)
A genetic genealogist spoke to other family members of Young’s distant relative, encouraging them to upload their DNA and eventually a family tree started to emerge. Relatives said Young had gone missing from Portland either in 1968 or 1969.
A woman identified as Young’s sister was then interviewed by the Portland Police Bureau.
“Through a series of informative, poignant, and difficult interviews, Detective [Heidi] Helwig learned that this individual not only lost a teenage sister when Sandra went missing in 1968 or 1969, they also lost a sister to gun violence in the 1970s,” the police said. “The family member was cooperative, supportive, and motivated to determine if the remains could be their sister, Sandra Young.”
In October, a definitive profile determined Sandra “Sandy” Young was born on June 25, 1951, and went missing in 1968 or 1969.
The Portland Police Bureau has been encouraged by the state police to investigate the circumstances of Young’s death.
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Genetic genealogy casework has been highly successful but can cost up to $10,000 per case.
J.D. PicKell explains why Oregon-Indiana Peach Bowl rematch is perfect for Dan Lanning originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Oregon Ducks’ 23-0 Orange Bowl win against the Texas Tech Red Raiders was the eventual planted seed for the soon-to-be Peach Bowl next Friday, as they will rematch the Indiana Hoosiers for a chance to go to the national title game in Miami.
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Despite losing to the Hoosiers during the regular season, the Ducks’ resilience has shone through since, making On3’s J.D. PicKell cautiously optimistic the Ducks could turn the tables on the No. 1-seeded Hoosiers.
“That might be the greatest gift this football team could have had, in the context of this season,” PicKell said. “That loss, I think, was a big reason why you’ve seen Oregon grow and progress the way they have in this College Football Playoff.”
PicKell said Oregon’s ability to “grow” has been apparent this postseason so far.
“Very different from last year’s team, when it comes to the way they’re evolving, the kind of ball they’re playing right now in the second round of the College Football Playoff,” PicKell said. “I think a lot of Oregon’s growth, you’ve got to give credit to some of the scars they have over the course of this season.”
We’ll see if PicKell’s words hold true, but it seems the Ducks have a shot to make the postseason even more interesting.
Come next Friday, we’ll find out.
The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
1PM: 0-2-6-1
4PM: 0-2-4-1
7PM: 4-3-9-2
10PM: 6-3-9-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
- Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Oregon
Why Tosh Lupoi sees a silver lining in Oregon’s poor defensive performance against James Madison
EUGENE — It’s easier to get a message across about effort, tenacity and finishing when the most recent result is an affront to those attributes.
Oregon’s defensive effort in its win over No. 12 seed James Madison, particularly in the second half, was “unacceptable” to defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. He’s found the silver lining in the third straight postseason performance allowing 34-plus points and 500-plus yards though, calling it “the best thing that could ever happen” as the No. 5 Ducks prepare to face No. 4 Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl.
“I think it’s another reminder of this is the best of the best, these teams. If you go to sleep for one down, one quarter, one half, they’re going to make you pay,” Lupoi said. “It makes it easier when the players see (themselves) not performing to the standard in that second half.”
JMU scored 28 points and averaged 8.4 yards per play in the second half. Though Oregon backups and third-teamers were in for some plays, starters were back in for the final 99-yard touchdown drive.
Five of JMU’s seven passes of 20-plus yards and a 49-yard run also came during the second half. Oregon allowed just 20 passes of 20 or more yards in its first 12 games.
“There’s things that we can definitely attack that we can do better,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “The biggest piece is getting off the field. We had some sustained drives in that game and we gave up more explosive plays in that game than we have in the past.”
Those are particularly critical areas against Texas Tech (12-1). The Red Raiders have one of the most explosive offenses in the country, trailing only the Ducks in passes of 20-plus yards, and rank 11th nationally on third down.
Linebacker Bryce Boettcher felt the defense responded well at practice in the week since the first round win.
“Practice has been physical with a lot of energy before Christmas and now we’re getting back to it right after Christmas,” Boettcher said. “I’ve been impressed with the way everyone’s responded.”
No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1) vs. No. 5 Oregon (12-1)
- When: Thursday, January 1
- Time: 9 a.m. PT
- Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: You can watch this game on DIRECTV (free trial) or with Sling (a Sling day pass to watch this game and more is just $4.99). Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest, depending on your location.
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