AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Rangers have made some headway in a Gray County case of missing identity from 22 years ago. Advanced DNA forensics helped police link the Jane Doe’s identity to a woman that may have lived in or near the Phoenix, Arizona, area.

Findings point to Brenda Sue Guessler as the previously unidentified person. Her body was located along I-40 west of McLean, Texas, in August 1999. The Texas Rangers were pulled into the case to aid with identification, but their efforts to use her fingerprint, DNA and a composite sketch led nowhere. So, they made a DNA profile that entered the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

When the Rangers’ Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program reviewed the file in February 2004, they uncovered multiple leads toward her identification through report research. But that, too, was unsuccessful. They then put the case into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), which ended up turning cold.

“In April 2022, Texas Ranger’s UCIP personnel reviewed lab reports and pursued the advancements in DNA associated with this investigation. The evidence was submitted to Othram Inc. With funding assistance from the Roads to Justice (RTJ) program, skeletal remains were submitted to Othram’s lab,” according to DNASolves.com. “Othram scientists developed a suitable DNA extract and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to develop a comprehensive genealogical profile. Othram’s in-house genetic genealogy team used the profile to generate investigative leads in the case. These leads were returned to investigators.”

This ushered in the possibility of Guessler being the unknown woman officials have been trying to pinpoint for over two decades. Further identification through the testing of a close family member’s DNA validated their discovery.

The identification of Guessler has rekindled the Rangers’ investigation. If you have any leads or information regarding Guessler and her case, you’re asked to email rangers@dps.texas.gov.